Border Patrol chief resigns, in latest DHS leadership shakeup

ImmigrationBorder Patrol chief resigns, in latest DHS leadership shakeupU.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks’ departure is the latest leadership shake-up of officials implementing President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Michael Banks in Nogales, Ariz., on Feb. 4.Ash Ponders / Bloomberg via Getty Images fileShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 14, 2026, 2:51 PM EDTBy Daniella Silva and The Associated PressThe head of U.S. Border Patrol is leaving the agency, which is tasked with securing the U.S. border, in the latest shakeup of immigration enforcement leadership in the Trump administration. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott said in a statement to NBC News that the agency thanked U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks “for his decades of service to this country and congratulate him on his second retirement after returning to serve during one of the most challenging periods for border security.”“During his time as Chief, the border was transformed from chaos to the most secure border ever recorded,” Scott said. “We wish him and his family well.”He served as Border Patrol chief for the entirety of Trump’s second term.Banks first announced he was resigning effective immediately in an interview with Fox News. “It’s just time,” Banks told Fox News. “I feel like I got the ship back on course from the least secure, disastrous, chaotic border to the most secure border this country has ever seen.” “Time to pass the reigns, 37 years, it’s time to enjoy the family and life,” he said.Bank’s departure is the latest leadership shake-up of officials implementing President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and comes as the Republican administration appears to be recalibrating its approach.The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.It was not immediately clear who will replace...