Michael Banks, the head of the Border Patrol suddenly resigned: why, what happened

In a statement to CNN, Banks said he was “proud” of his work leading the Border Patrol, saying he left office with “the most secure border in the history of the country.” After nearly 37 years of public service, he added, it was time to “enjoy family and life.”

Banks was a Border Patrol and former veteran he had served as the ‘border czar’ of Texasworking as an advisor to Governor Greg Abbott during Operation Lone Star, the plan with which Texas responded to what state officials called a migrant crisis under the Joe Biden Administration.

His management of the migration dossier had earned him the support of Donald Trump, who appointed him to lead the Border Patrol in January 2025.

During Banks’ tenure, official Gregory Bovino took a central role in the anti-immigration crackdown within the United States, with the support of then-DHS secretary Kristi Noem. However, his particularly aggressive approach had caused internal tensions within the agency.

Banks’ exit represents the third change at the top of the Department of Homeland Security in the last two months. Trump removed Kristi Noem in March, after controversy linked to federal spending on advertising campaigns considered excessive and after the death of two US citizens killed by federal agents in Minneapolis. Last month the interim director of ICE, Todd Lyons, also announced his resignation, officially to dedicate more time to his family.