By Steve Neavling
U.S. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz plans to retire at the end of June, less than two years after he took the helm.
Ortiz, who became chief in August 2021, will step down after he guides the agency through a major policy shift to deter illegal crossings at the border following the expiration of Title 41, a pandemic-era public health restriction that helped turn back migrants, the Associated Press reports.
In a note to staff on Tuesday, Ortiz said he will leave on June 30.
“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,” Ortiz said in the note.
Ortiz became the interim chief in June 2021 after President Biden’s administration removed Rodney Scott at the top spot.
Ortiz joined the Border Patrol in May 1991 and served in a variety of leadership positions. In 2013, he was appointed deputy chief patrol agent of the Rio Grande Valley Sector. In 2019, he became chief patrol agent of the Del Rio Sector.
He was promoted to deputy chief of the agency in January 2020.
Homeland Security Director Alejandro Mayorkas praised Ortiz for his leadership on Tuesday.
“Selecting him to lead the Border Patrol was among the most important decisions I have made,” Mayorkas said. “Chief Ortiz agreed to postpone his retirement several times since and the Border Patrol, the Department, and our country have been all the better for it.”
