Border Patrol Chief raises eyebrows with message for illegal immigrants
The Trump admin has been cracking down on illegal immigration. They have no stomach for the crime.
But now a Border Patrol Chief has raised eyebrows with this message for illegal immigrants.
On Thursday, Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol Chief for California’s El Centro sector, appeared on Fox News to issue a stern warning to illegal migrants, emphasizing that “no sanctuary anywhere” exists following a targeted operation in Sacramento.
Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin accompanied Border Patrol agents during a raid in south Sacramento, where more than 10 individuals were apprehended. Speaking with Bovino outside California’s state capitol, the chief addressed the state’s sanctuary policies in light of a judicial ruling halting deportations in Los Angeles and nearby areas.
“There is no sanctuary city. Sacramento is not a sanctuary city. The state of California is not a sanctuary state,” Bovino said. “There is no sanctuary anywhere. We’ll be here. You’ll probably see us in many of the locations as well. We’re here to stay. We’re not going anywhere. We’re going to effect this mission and secure the homeland.”
Melugin provided details of the operation, noting that agents had approached a Home Depot where “suspected illegal immigrants” attempted to flee upon their arrival. After pursuits, Border Patrol confirmed that one detainee was a felon with a prior conviction for fentanyl trafficking, based on record checks.
Among those arrested was a U.S. citizen, whom agents tackled after he allegedly slashed a tire on a federal vehicle. “Agents eventually took him to the ground, where he appeared to lunge at one of the agents, causing him to get maced in the face and placed under arrest,” Melugin said. “As he was arrested, his wife was shouting that he’s a U.S. citizen. Agents responded, ‘Well, too bad, because he slashed our tire.’”
On Saturday, U.S. District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong, appointed by President Biden, issued an order prohibiting immigration raids in Los Angeles and surrounding cities within California’s Central District. The Sacramento arrests, however, occurred in the Eastern District, outside the scope of the ruling.
In April, another Biden-appointed judge, Jennifer L. Thurston, restricted Border Patrol from stopping or arresting migrants in the Eastern District without reasonable suspicion. According to Melugin, the Sacramento operation complied with this order, as agents conducted two days of surveillance at the Home Depot, identifying vehicles linked to previously deported individuals. This provided reasonable suspicion, and the immediate flight of suspects upon agents’ arrival established probable cause for arrests.
Trump Administration’s Efforts to Reduce Illegal Border Crossings
The Trump administration has prioritized stringent immigration enforcement, achieving measurable success in curbing illegal border crossings since taking office in 2025. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data indicates a significant decline in apprehensions at the southern border, with monthly encounters dropping by nearly 40% compared to 2023 peaks, reflecting enhanced enforcement and deterrence measures.
A cornerstone of this approach has been the reinstatement of the “Remain in Mexico” policy, formally known as the Migrant Protection Protocols. This program requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases are processed, reducing the incentive for illegal crossings. The policy, reimplemented in early 2025, has led to a reported 50% reduction in asylum claims at the border, according to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) statistics.
The administration has also expanded expedited removal processes, allowing for swift deportation of individuals without valid legal claims. By streamlining these procedures, CBP has increased deportations by 25% compared to the previous administration, focusing on individuals with criminal records or prior deportations, as seen in the Sacramento operation.
Physical barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border have seen further investment, with over 100 additional miles of border wall completed since January 2025. CBP reports that areas with new or reinforced barriers have experienced up to a 60% drop in illegal crossings, particularly in high-traffic sectors like El Paso and San Diego.
Collaboration with state and local law enforcement has been another focus, despite resistance from sanctuary jurisdictions. Operations like the one in Sacramento demonstrate the administration’s strategy of targeting areas where illegal immigrants are known to congregate, using intelligence-driven tactics to ensure compliance with federal law while navigating local restrictions.
The administration has also strengthened partnerships with Mexico and Central American countries to address migration at its source. Agreements with Mexico have led to increased patrols by Mexican authorities, reducing migrant caravans by an estimated 70%, according to DHS reports. Similarly, economic aid and security programs in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador have aimed to deter migration by improving local conditions.
Critics argue that these policies prioritize enforcement over humanitarian concerns, citing limited access to asylum processes. However, supporters contend that the measures restore order to a previously overwhelmed system, pointing to reduced strain on border facilities, which now operate at 30% below capacity compared to 2024 levels.
Legal challenges, such as those from Biden-appointed judges in California, have posed obstacles, but the administration has adapted by focusing operations in compliant jurisdictions and refining tactics to meet judicial standards, as evidenced by the Sacramento raid’s adherence to reasonable suspicion requirements.
Stay tuned to the DC Daily Journal.
