Photo: Alamy
U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced Monday that Rosario “Pete” Vasquez has been appointed the new chief of the United States Border Patrol.
The leadership change follows the resignation last month of former Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks, who left the position to spend more time with his family and return to his ranch in Texas. Banks had served as chief since January 2025.
CBP said Vasquez brings more than 26 years of Border Patrol experience to the role, including operational and executive leadership assignments along the southwest and northern borders, overseas postings and positions at CBP headquarters.
“It is the honor of a lifetime to serve as chief of the United States Border Patrol, and I’m grateful for the trust placed in me by President Trump, [Homeland Security] Secretary [Markwayne] Mullin, and Commissioner [Rodney] Scott,” Vasquez said in a statement.
“Our agents have never backed down from a challenge, and neither will I,” he added. “As chief, my focus is clear: support our agents, strengthen our operational capabilities, and ensure the U.S. Border Patrol remains the most effective border security force in the world.”
Vasquez will oversee more than 20,000 Border Patrol agents and staff members as the agency continues operations targeting transnational criminal organizations, human smuggling operations and narcotics trafficking networks.
CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott praised the appointment, describing Vasquez as a respected figure within the agency.
“Pete Vasquez is a Border Patrol agent’s agent,” Scott said. “He has spent more than two decades leading from the front, earning the respect of the workforce, and delivering results in some of the most challenging operational environments in the country.”
“He understands what this mission demands because he has lived it. There is no one better suited to lead the United States Border Patrol into its next chapter,” Scott added.
