Pressed for apology on camera, Bovino says he'd have 'gone harder sooner' on illegal immigrants

WASHINGTON, DC: Former Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, on Friday, April 24, said his only regret after being pressed about past immigration enforcement actions was that he did not move “harder sooner.”

During an interview with Newsmax, Bovino was invited to reflect on whether he would change anything about his controversial tenure, but instead defended his record and argued that even tougher action should have been taken earlier.

Gregory Bovino doubles down on aggressive immigration enforcement

When the host asked whether there was anything he wished he had handled differently, Bovino initially acknowledged that he would have changed some things. He offered a defense of aggressive immigration enforcement.

Bovino claimed there were still millions of undocumented migrants in the United States and blamed them for serious crimes, arguing stronger action remained necessary.

He said his biggest mistake was not accelerating plans to bring in more personnel and intensify operations sooner.

“If I had something to do differently, I would have brought on follow-on forces even quicker,” he said.

He added that large-scale deployments had been part of post-Minnesota planning and claimed the public “hadn’t seen anything yet.”

Summing up his position, Bovino said he “would have gone harder sooner,” with more officers involved in targeting what he described as criminal elements.

The remarks made clear he had no intention of apologizing for the Border Patrol strategy that drew national criticism.

Rise and fall of Gregory Bovino

Bovino became one of the most visible faces of hardline immigration enforcement during President Donald Trump's administration, overseeing headline-grabbing operations in Minneapolis. 

He built a reputation among supporters as an aggressive field commander willing to take forceful action.

That standing changed dramatically in January 2026 after two US citizens were fatally shot by federal agents during enforcement operations in Minneapolis.

The incidents triggered protests, heavy scrutiny of federal tactics and renewed debate over the role of immigration authorities operating inside American cities.

As pressure mounted, Bovino was removed from his “commander-at-large” position and withdrawn from Minneapolis along with several agents.

Although officials said he was not formally fired, the move was widely seen as a major blow to his influence. He was later reassigned to California.

Bovino retired at the end of March 2026, closing a polarizing chapter defined by aggressive raids, deadly controversy and fierce political arguments over border security.