Gregory Bovino, a senior U.S. Border Patrol commander, is becoming widely known as a leading figure in President Donald Trump’s strong immigration enforcement campaign. Often seen in tactical gear during operations, Bovino has taken a visible role in raids aimed at arresting undocumented migrants across major American cities.
His name gained more attention after recent immigration operations in Minneapolis. These operations led to protests and serious public debate after federal agents fatally shot a 37-year-old ICU nurse, Alex Pretti. The Trump administration said Pretti was armed and posed a threat to officers. However, video footage from the scene raised questions, as it appeared he did not pull out a weapon before agents used force.
Bovino publicly defended the actions of immigration officers. In a television interview, he said law enforcement agents acted to protect themselves and others at the scene. He argued that officers are highly trained and responded based on the danger they believed they were facing at the time.
Legal experts say Bovino represents the operational side of the Trump administration’s immigration policy. Cesar Garcia Hernandez, an immigration law professor at Ohio State University, said Bovino is helping turn strong political messages about deportation into real enforcement on the ground. The administration has promised to deport millions of undocumented migrants and increase enforcement nationwide.
Over the past year, Bovino has led several large-scale immigration raids in cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis. He uses a tactic he calls “turn and burn,” which means officers move in quickly, make arrests, and leave before large crowds of protesters can gather. Supporters say this approach helps officers stay safe, while critics argue it increases fear in communities.
Bovino has also defended controversial incidents during operations. In one case, agents briefly took a five-year-old child into custody while trying to arrest the child’s father. Bovino said officers are trained to handle situations involving children carefully. Video also showed him throwing a tear gas canister during a protest, warning people to move back before doing so.
Unlike many officers who wear face coverings during operations, Bovino often appears in public without a mask and speaks openly to the media. He is sometimes seen wearing a long green overcoat that he says is a standard Border Patrol uniform he has owned for many years. Some political leaders, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, have criticized his appearance and actions, while Bovino says such criticism increases tensions and puts officers at risk.
The debate around Bovino reflects a wider national divide over immigration enforcement in the United States. Supporters of the administration say strict actions are needed to control the border and enforce the law. Critics argue that the tactics used are too aggressive and may violate human rights and civil liberties.
What is the “turn and burn” tactic?
It is a rapid-enforcement method in which officers quickly enter an area, make arrests, and leave before protests or crowds can form.