Rep. Ruiz Calls for Federal Investigation Into Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino

A federal judge's finding that Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Greg Bovino lied under oath about his use of force is now at the center of a congressional demand to strip Bovino of his retirement benefits before he leaves federal service.

Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.) sent a letter March 16 to CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott requesting a full and independent investigation into Bovino's conduct and asking the agency to determine whether that conduct disqualifies him from receiving federal retirement benefits. Two CBP officials told reporters that Bovino is expected to retire at the end of March.

"These are not allegations, they are documented findings, and they raise a serious question about whether someone with this record should retire with full taxpayer-funded benefits," Ruiz wrote in the letter.

Beyond the perjury finding, Ruiz cited multiple court orders against Bovino related to racial profiling and noted that a judge required Bovino to appear before the court each evening to account for his agents' actions. Ruiz also raised concerns about operations Bovino led in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis, which he said drew public scrutiny and judicial rebukes. In his letter, Ruiz asked CBP to determine whether Bovino's conduct meets the federal standard for "conduct unbecoming" and to consider withholding retirement benefits pending the outcome of any investigation. He also demanded a briefing on the investigation's scope and timeline within 60 days.

Bovino was removed from his Commander-at-Large role in January, following the deaths of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, at the hands of federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. After his removal, Bovino returned to his previous position as Border Patrol Sector Chief in El Centro, and border czar Tom Homan took over the Commander-at-Large duties, overseeing operations in Minnesota.

El Centro's sector office sits about 50 miles west of Yuma and shares the same border enforcement infrastructure that shapes law enforcement operations across the Imperial and Yuma valleys. CBP has not publicly responded to Ruiz's letter, and neither Bovino nor his representatives have issued a public statement.