TX-Based Border Patrol Vet Named Agency Chief

Jason Owens was named Friday as the successor to Chief Raul Ortiz, who will retire from the U.S. Border Patrol at the end of the month.

In a Friday news release, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said that Owens had proven himself to be “a talented, selfless, and inspiring leader who is dedicated to the Border Patrol’s law enforcement mission, the men and women who fulfill it, and the country that we all serve.”

Owens has been leading the Del Rio sector of Border Patrol since late 2021, according to NPR. Prior to this appointment he was a sector chief in Maine and headed the Border Patrol academy in New Mexico. He has been with the agency for 27 years.

Owens will be taking over for Ortiz, who announced his retirement on May 30 and named June 30 as the final day in his 32-year career in Border Patrol.

“I leave at ease, knowing we have a tremendous uniformed and professional workforce, strong relationships with our union partners, and outstanding leaders who will continue to tirelessly advocate for you each day,” read a letter from Ortiz to Border Patrol employees, according to CNN.

As The Dallas Express reported, border cities like El Paso have been overwhelmed by recent waves of unlawful migration. Approximately 1,600 unlawful migrants daily were said to be released into the city late last year.

More surges in unlawful migrants are still expected in the coming weeks, as The Dallas Express has reported.

 
While Owens will have approximately 19,000 Border Patrol agents under his command once he is officially sworn in as the agency’s 26th chief next month, law enforcement personnel from Texas and beyond have been sent to help maintain the border.

As The Dallas Express reported, Nebraska, Tennessee, Idaho, and Florida have all recently sent state troopers to assist in Operation Lone Star, Gov. Abbott’s border security initiative.

In the last 72 hours as of June 12, Ortiz reported that Border Control had logged 9,047 unlawful migrant apprehensions, 2,493 “gotaways,” 190 lbs. in seized cocaine, and $232,900 in seized cash.