Global Courant 2023-05-31 08:31:26
US Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz told colleagues on Tuesday that he has decided to retire, FOX News has confirmed.
Ortiz, who manages about 20,000 Border Patrol agents as the law enforcement arm of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, told his colleagues in a note Tuesday that he would retire effective Friday, June 30.
He also said in the note that serving as Chief of the Border Patrol, a position he has held since being appointed in August 2021, has been “one of the greatest honors and privileges”.
“I leave with peace of mind knowing that we have a vast uniformed and professional workforce, strong relationships with our union partners and outstanding leaders who will continue to advocate tirelessly for you every day,” Ortiz said in the note.
CHIEF OF BORDER PATROL AUTHORIZES RELEASES OF MIGRANTS IN US WITHOUT DATE OF DUTY WHEN TITLE 42 ENDS
U.S. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz listens during a press conference on Jan. 5, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Ortiz navigated the Border Patrol through the COVID-19 pandemic and Title 42 emergency health restrictions. He has also spoken out about the Border Patrol’s struggle to maintain operational control of the United States-Mexico border.
At a House Homeland Security Committee hearing in March, Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., asked him, “Does DHS have operational control of our entire border?”
“No, sir,” Ortiz replied.
It is not immediately clear who will replace him.
A migrant family sits in Roma, Texas after processing on May 5, 2022. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
CBP Acting Commissioner Troy A. Miller released a statement confirming the retirement.
“Chief Ortiz is a true leader. I have benefited greatly over the years from his partnership, expertise, wise counsel and friendship,” said Miller. “Every day he defends the men and women of the Border Patrol and has worked tirelessly to ensure they have the tools, resources and support they need to do their jobs.”
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“He has received countless awards and accolades during his tenure with the Border Patrol, but the greatest compliment we can give him is that he is a great cop,” he added. “I would like to congratulate Chief Ortiz on his retirement after more than three decades of service to our country. I look forward to seeing him fish the waters from his boat as he enters this next and well-deserved chapter.”
A U.S. Border Patrol agent addresses immigrants who have been denied entry from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, at a busy illegal border crossing along Rio Grande in El Paso, Texas, on Dec. 20, 2022. (John Moore/Getty Images)
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection operates within the Department of Homeland Security and is tasked with protecting the country’s international borders, including thousands of miles that stretch between the U.S. with Mexico and Canada.
On Tuesday, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas praised Ortiz and applauded his decision to stay on as border police chief after previous considerations to retire.
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“Selecting him to lead the border patrol was one of the most important decisions I made,” said Mayorkas. “Chief Ortiz has agreed to postpone his retirement several times since then and the Border Patrol, the Department and our country have been all the better for it.”
Ortiz first joined the Border Patrol in the 1990s and has been a cop for 32 years.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
