Former Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino Says He Should Have Accelerated Deployment of Additional Personnel

WASHINGTON — Former U.S. Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Greg Bovino told Newsmax on April 24, 2026, that he regrets not moving faster to deploy additional follow-on forces during the early stages of the Trump administration’s interior immigration enforcement operations.

In an interview on “Bianca Across the Nation,” Bovino said he should have accelerated the deployment of more personnel to support ICE agents conducting large-scale arrests in sanctuary cities.

Bovino, who played a key role in planning and executing multi-city deportation surges, stated that while operations have been successful in removing tens of thousands of illegal immigrants, the pace of reinforcement could have been quicker to maintain momentum and reduce strain on frontline teams.

He emphasized that the current enforcement push under President Trump is the most aggressive in recent memory, but early logistical decisions on personnel movement created temporary bottlenecks in certain areas.

Bovino’s comments come as the Department of Homeland Security continues its nationwide interior enforcement campaign, with ICE focusing on criminal aliens and those with final removal orders. The former commander praised the overall direction of the operation while offering the self-critical assessment on deployment speed.

Bovino’s remarks highlight ongoing operational lessons as the administration works to fulfill its immigration priorities.