After 30 years of dedicated federal service, Raul Ortiz, the chief of the United States Border Patrol, has announced his retirement.
Ortiz shared the news with his employees via email on Tuesday. In his message, he expressed gratitude for the opportunities he had to serve his country and advocate for the American people throughout his 32-year Border Patrol career, which included assignments in various sectors, headquarters tours, and overseas duties in Afghanistan.
With confidence, Ortiz stated that he can retire knowing that the Border Patrol has an exceptional workforce, strong relationships with union partners, and outstanding leaders who will continue to tirelessly advocate for their employees every day. He reassured his team that his dedication to the mission and to the nation has never wavered and that he will always support the agency, its mission, and the people who contribute to its success. Serving as Chief has been an incredible honor and privilege for him.
The announcement comes amidst a persistent border crisis that has unfolded in recent years, largely attributed to the reversal of Trump-era policies by President Joe Biden. These policy changes have led to a significant influx of migrants unlawfully entering the United States.
Earlier this year, Ortiz testified before Congress, contradicting DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’s claim of operational authority over the southern border under the Biden administration. During the hearing in McAllen, Texas, Ortiz responded to a question from Committee Chairman Mark Green about border security. When asked if the DHS had operational control of the entire border, Ortiz straightforwardly replied, “No, sir.”
Green highlighted a video from a previous session where Mayorkas had confidently asserted that the United States did have operational control of the southern border. When Green asked Ortiz if he believed Mayorkas was telling the truth, Ortiz diplomatically explained that operational control has historically been used as a measure of performance and that the team’s current plan is focused on mission advantage. He declined to directly address whether Mayorkas was lying, avoiding any discredit to his superior.
