The face of immigration enforcement under the Trump administration's deportation plans isn't a masked ICE agent. It's Gregory Bovino, a man whose far-reaching influence has landed him a $10,000 bounty on his head, courtesy of the crime syndicates.Newsweek asked the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) why Bovino does not wear a mask during high-profile operations. Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for DHS, told Newsweek, “Because all the gang members and terrorists who have put bounties on his head and threatened to murder him already know who he is.”Bovino, a nearly 30-year veteran of the U.S. Border Patrol, has emerged as a central figure in the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement strategy. Currently serving as Chief Patrol Agent of the El Centro Sector in Southern California, Bovino has been at the forefront of high-profile operations in cities such as Los Angeles and Chicago, leading to both praise from supporters and legal challenges from critics....A Long Career in Border EnforcementBovino began his tenure with the U.S. Border Patrol on November 17, 1996, as a member of Class 325, beginning his career in the El Centro Sector in California, according to a Border Patrol Academy Podcast.He was promoted to Senior Patrol Agent in 1999 and to Supervisory Border Patrol Agent in 2002, serving in tactical assignments including BORTAC (Border Patrol Tactical Unit) and helping develop the agency’s Marksman Observer training program.BORTAC is a specialized elite unit within the U.S. Border Patrol trained to handle high-risk operations, including counter-narcotics, hostage rescues, and tactical law enforcement missions. Bonvino also completed deployments on international assignments in Honduras, Egypt, and other parts of Africa.In 2004, Bovino was promoted to Assistant Chief in the Special Operations Division at Border Patrol Headquarters in Washington, D.C.He helped plan and execute Operation Stonegarden, coordinated Border Patrol disaster responses to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Wilma, and Gustav, and authored the agency’s Continuity of Operations Plan.He was named Patrol Agent in Charge of the Blythe Station in the Yuma Sector in 2008, leading operations at traffic checkpoints and interior patrols across parts of California, Arizona, and Nevada. In 2012, he was promoted to Patrol Agent in Charge of the Imperial Beach Station in the San Diego Sector, overseeing 417 agents along six miles of land border and 66 miles of coastline.In April 2016, Bovino became Associate Chief of Policy at Border Patrol Headquarters, a senior executive role, before being promoted on July 9, 2018, to Chief Patrol Agent of the New Orleans Sector, where he managed all Border Patrol operations in that region.In April 2020, he was appointed Chief Patrol Agent of the El Centro Sector, responsible for operations across Imperial and San Diego counties and into desert areas of California and Arizona.Coming Under ScrutinyBovino was involved in congressional oversight of border operations. House Republican leaders initially invited him to testify about conditions in his sector, but the DHS blocked sector chiefs from appearing in open hearings. By late July 2023, however, Representatives Mark Green and James Comer secured transcribed interviews under oath with sector chiefs, including Bovino. In his July 12 interview with the House Homeland Security Committee, he warned that processing surges were straining his sector.Congressional aides reported that Bovino was briefly relieved of his command following these interviews, but was reinstated the following month."Bovino wants to build a brand, a name for himself, like I'm a f****** tough guy. Where were these f****** tough guys under the Biden administration speaking out and demanding reform and change? That's the way I judge a person," one former ICE official who requested anonymity to speak freely told Newsweek.On January 7, 2025, the day after Congress certified President Trump's 2024 election win, Bovino led an immigration enforcement operation in Kern County, six hours north of the border. The initiative, known as Operation Return to Sender, involved sending 65 Border Patrol agents from El Centro over 300 miles from their usual area of operation to Bakersfield, a city with a large Latino population and a significant agricultural workforce.Going 'Rogue' The operation resulted in the detention and deportation of dozens of individuals, many of whom were Latino farmworkers and day laborers. Critics, including the American Civil Liberties Union, filed a lawsuit alleging that the raid unlawfully targeted people of color regardless of their immigration status. The lawsuit claims that agents conducted indiscriminate arrests and pressured some individuals into agreeing to their own deportations. Border Patrol said it arrested 78 people during the enforcement operation.Three former Biden administration officials, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to share details, told the Los Angeles Times that Bovino “went rogue” with the January raid. They noted that Bovino initiated the operation without prior approval from Washington. Despite the criticism, Bovino reportedly defended the operation internally, describing it as one of the sector’s most successful efforts."This guy Bovino, you know he thinks he's a f****** rock star now. He's a f****** tool," the former ICE official said.Expansive OperationsThe Kern County raid was seen as a preview of more expansive interior enforcement operations, with Border Patrol agents conducting raids far from the border. During the campaign, the Trump team indicated plans to coordinate multiple state and federal agencies to carry out widespread arrests and deportations.Under Bovino's command, Border Patrol agents have launched several high-profile immigration enforcement operations in California and Illinois. During an enforcement operation at MacArthur Park in Los Angeles, Bovino led agents on horseback and was seen manning a tear-gas canister as children fled the park, drawing sharp criticism from city officials.In 2025, he led "Operation Midway Blitz" in Chicago, which resulted in over 1,800 arrests, according to DHS. The Chicago raids have sparked accusations of excessive force, including the alleged deployment of tear gas at protesters in the Little Village neighborhood. Footage appears to show Bovino throwing an object toward demonstrators during a protest on Thursday.Bovino's approach to enforcement has been characterized by rapid, high-intensity operations, often referred to as "turn-and-burn" tactics. These methods have attracted criticism from local officials and civil rights groups, who argue that they disproportionately target immigrant communities and violate constitutional rights.Legal ChallengesThe aggressive tactics employed during these operations have led to legal challenges. In October 2025, U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis ordered Bovino to testify in federal court regarding allegations that his agents violated court orders by deploying tear gas without proper warnings during the Little Village incident.In a response to a request for comment for this article, a DHS spokesperson shared an already public statement concerning the tear gas allegations along with a video that included bodycam footage."Riot control measures were deployed, including by Chief Bovino, and arrests were made," the statement, previously posted on X, said. "Agents properly used their training. The use of chemical munitions was conducted in full accordance with CBP policy and was necessary to ensure the safety of both law enforcement and the public."The statement also said that protesters threw "rocks and other objects at agents, including one that struck Chief Greg Bovino in the head."Internally, Bovino's methods have contributed to a significant shake-up within the DHS. Reports indicate that the Trump administration is replacing senior ICE officials with Border Patrol agents in at least eight cities, reflecting a shift towards more aggressive enforcement strategies championed by figures such as Bovino.The former ICE official who requested anonymity to speak freely told Newsweek he thinks Bovino holds too much power.Bovino has also drawn attention for his prolific use of social media, where he frequently posts memes, provocative commentary, and trolling-style humor that blurs the line between official communication and online persona-building."Just looking at the social media, he wants to be the next Tom Homan," the official said. Homan is Trump's "border czar," known for his hardline stance on immigration enforcement. He was previously acting director of ICE for a period during Trump's first term.Bovino's visibility and assertive enforcement style have made him a polarizing figure. Supporters view him as a decisive leader committed to upholding immigration laws, while critics contend that his tactics undermine civil liberties and exacerbate community tensions. As the Trump administration continues to prioritize stringent immigration enforcement, Bovino's role may expand, positioning him as a key player in shaping the future immigration policy in the years to come.Correction, 10/28/2025, 1:21 p.m. ET: An earlier version of this article misspelled Gregory Bovino's last name in one instance.Update, 10/28/2025, 1:42 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information, and a statement shared by DHS.