Mike Banks, the current Texas border czar, has been selected to take on the role of the next US Border Patrol chief, as confirmed by sources familiar with the decision. This move highlights the strong relationship between Texas border officials and the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump.
Banks, a former Border Patrol agent, will be stepping in for Jason Owens, who has been serving as the chief. Owens is set to announce his retirement this week but is expected to remain with the agency until April to assist Banks and other officials in transitioning, according to sources.
President-elect Trump has chosen Rodney Scott, a former Border Patrol chief during his first administration, to lead Customs and Border Protection. Scott also held the position of a distinguished senior fellow for border security at the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
Recently, incoming border czar Tom Homan, along with Governor Greg Abbott, Banks, and other state officials, participated in serving meals to Texas National Guard soldiers and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers along the Texas-Mexico border.
Texas has been actively preparing to strengthen its operations along the US southern border, which is seen as a model for how the Trump administration intends to collaborate with states as part of its immigration strategies.
