Texas Border Czar to Succeed Border Patrol Chief Owens in Retirement

The Border Patrol Chief, Jason Owens, is resigning from his position as head of the agency, stating that his agents have given their utmost in challenging circumstances, including some of the toughest he has encountered in his entire career.

In April, Texas Border Czar Mike Banks will succeed Owens, who was promoted to Border Patrol Chief in 2023 and is now retiring.

During the most intense moments of the crisis at the southern border, Owens spoke to Planet Chronicle about his time as chief. He described it as "bittersweet" because it marked the conclusion of a chapter in his life.

"While it's a bittersweet moment, it's also joyful because I know I've made a difference, and now it's time for the next generation to take over."

He inquired about the increase in border crossings that his team encountered, specifically mentioning the surge in 2021 at Del Rio and the overwhelming numbers at Eagle Pass, Texas.

"I had never seen anything like that before. It was as bad as I had ever seen in my career. At every moment, the men and women were trying to find a way to address the issue so that they could get back out there on patrol and prevent the bad actors from entering," he said.

He detailed how Border Patrol agents transition from providing life-saving care to apprehending a gang member or convicted felon.

The daily struggle of dealing with the toll of their job weighed heavily on those men and women. Despite their frustration, they persevered and gave their all every day. He acknowledged their dedication and promised to give them his 100% as well.

Owens stated that he views Banks as a friend and expressed confidence and optimism about their future with him as their leader.

"He shares my love for the Border Patrol and is committed to maintaining the mission of safeguarding our country," he stated.

Owens stated that he has never encountered a scenario where he would assert that the border is safe.

He stated that a secure border for him means being able to detect and stop any bad elements trying to enter the country, as there are still too many gaps and vulnerabilities on the border today.

DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas commended Owens for embodying the values of the US Border Patrol, specifically the "Honor First" ethos.

Throughout his distinguished career in the Border Patrol, Chief Owens has devoted himself to public service. From his initial assignment at Calexico Station to his command of the elite BORTAC unit in El Paso, from his leadership of the USBP Academy to the Laredo Sector, Del Rio Sector, Washington, D.C., and many duty stations in-between, he has consistently risen to the challenges and utilized his talents to make a difference. His exceptional leadership, bravery, integrity, and decency have propelled him to the highest ranks of the Border Patrol.

"Chief Owens was the best and most suitable leader for the Border Patrol during a challenging time due to his qualities. I am grateful that he accepted the challenge, as he has done so many others throughout his distinguished law enforcement career. The Border Patrol and the Department of Homeland Security are stronger today because of Chief Owens," he said.

On Friday, Kristi Noem, Trump's nominee for the Department of Homeland Security, faced her confirmation hearing. It was announced that a mass deportation operation and increased border security efforts would be launched days before President-elect Trump takes office.

At the hearing, she vowed to safeguard the border and put an end to the CBP One app and related parole initiatives that were introduced under the Biden administration.