Conflicting reports indicate U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino has been relieved of his command responsibilities in Minneapolis following a series of fatal incidents during Operation Metro Surge immigration enforcement operations. Multiple federal sources confirm Bovino and some Border Patrol agents will depart Minnesota imminently, with Tom Homan stepping into operational leadership for the state.
The decision follows heightened backlash after 37-year-old Minneapolis resident Alex Pretti was fatally shot by a Border Patrol agent during an immigration operation near 26th and Nicollet on January 24. This incident marks the third federal fatality under Operation Metro Surge, which has deployed over 3,000 agents to Minnesota since its launch. Prior casualties include Renee Good, who died Jan. 7 during a similar enforcement action.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated Bovino will continue leading broader Border Patrol operations nationally but confirmed he is departing the Minneapolis area “imminently.” Officials described the move as a reassignment rather than termination of his overall role within U.S. Border Patrol, though local command responsibilities have been shifted to Tom Homan.
DHS officials emphasized that while Minneapolis will cooperate with federal law enforcement on criminal investigations, it will not participate in what they characterize as “unconstitutional arrests” under immigration operations. The incident has triggered widespread community protests and calls for an immediate end to Operation Metro Surge.