Chief Michael W. Banks

As of January 21,2025, all content on this account will be attributed to Chief Michael Banks, 27th Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol. With over 20 years of service in the Border Patrol, I am honored to lead this incredible team. Together, we’ll strengthen partnerships, enhance operations, and embrace innovation to secure our nation’s borders. Thank you for your dedication—let’s move forward with purpose and professionalism! — Chief Michael Banks

HUMAN SMUGGLING OPERATION SHUTDOWN IN CALI❗️ El Centro agents, alongside our law enforcement partners, stopped a smuggling ring: Four smugglers and 29 illegal aliens were arrested near Seeley, CA. The smugglers face federal alien smuggling charges, and the illegal aliens will be deported. Human smuggling = serious consequences! It is NOT worth it!

$349K Worth of Drugs Seized in Amado, AZ Tucson Sector agents discovered a sophisticated compartment in a Chevy SUV, packed with 132 bundles of deadly drugs, at the Interstate 19 immigration checkpoint. Inside: 222 lbs. of meth and 10 lbs. of fentanyl. The driver was arrested and is facing federal drug charges. Drug smugglers beware: you will be arrested and prosecuted.

Agents from the Nogales Border Patrol Station apprehended 13 illegal aliens attempting to cross illegally in the remote Sonoran Desert. Among them, one Mexican national was identified as having ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. Our message is clear: If you cross illegally, you will be arrested, prosecuted, and deported. We remain committed to using every available resource to protect our nation’s borders. @USBPChiefTCA @WhiteHouse @DHSgov @CBP @CBPAMO

In the field, where duty calls without warning, courage defines the mission. I had the honor of presenting one Purple Cross, two Newton-Azrak Awards, and Commendation with Valor Awards to agents in the Rio Grande Valley Sector who faced danger head-on in service to the American people.   Their actions reflect the highest standards of our profession—this is Honor First! @USBPChiefRGV @CBP

SMUGGLERS PUSH THE LIMIT: ANOTHER 20 ILLEGAL ALIENS CRAMMED IN A SEMI-CAB❗ A truck driver pulled up to the I-35 USBP immigration checkpoint in Laredo, TX, claiming he was traveling alone. That was false. Agents immediately noticed arms and legs under a blanket. Further inspection revealed a total of 20 illegal aliens in the sleeper area of the tractor cab. The illegal aliens, from three different countries, will be processed for deportation, and the human smuggler is facing human smuggling charges.

The Border is Closed! The U.S. Border Patrol will unapologetically enforce our nation’s laws. If you cross illegally, you will be arrested, prosecuted, and deported. @DHSgov @CBP @USBPChiefLRT @USBPChiefRGV

9-YEAR-OLD LEFT BEHIND FOUND BY BORSTAR A 9-year-old was rescued by a Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue (BORSTAR) team after becoming separated from the group she was traveling with. When agents encountered her, she was hypothermic and in distress. Agents immediately provided medical care, and she is now in stable condition. Human smugglers don’t care about your safety—don’t entrust your family to them.

Cross illegally? The U.S. Border Patrol will be there—no exceptions.   Since May 2025, the U.S. Border Patrol has not released a single illegal alien into our country, and we are not about to start now!    You will be detected, arrested, prosecuted, and deported.    The Border is Closed!  @DHSgov @CBP @USBPChiefLRT @USBPChiefRGV

SMUGGLER FLIPS VEHICLE TRYING TO FLEE 🚨 A human smuggler’s attempt to evade law enforcement ended in a reckless rollover crash near Brownsville, TX. USBP agents were quick to render aid to the four illegal aliens and the driver found in the wreckage. All are in stable condition. The U.S. citizen driver is now facing state criminal charges, and the illegal aliens will be deported. Human smugglers have no regard for human life. They will do anything for money. We will continue to target, arrest, and prosecute!

With assistance from our law enforcement partners, USBP agents arrested a Honduran national near Mercedes, TX. This criminal illegal alien was found to be a sex offender, previously convicted on three counts of carnal knowledge of a child. There is no place in this country for criminal illegal aliens. The border is closed!

75 Bundles of Meth—ZERO chance of getting past our K9s. Tucson Sector agents working at the I-19 USBP immigration checkpoint in Amado, AZ, intercepted a load weighing more than 78 lbs. of the highly addictive drug, hidden inside a pickup’s doors and gas tank. The driver, a Mexican national, is now facing federal drug charges. Our K9 teams are highly trained to detect these illicit substances—and they will find it. DON’T TRY IT!

SEMI SMUGGLING EXPOSED❗ A 13-year-old was locked in a closet compartment of a semi. A pregnant woman was hidden in the back of the sleeper, and eight others were hiding under mattresses and in compartments. This is what agents encountered at the Laredo USBP immigration checkpoint—a smuggler with zero regard for human life, stuffing people into dangerous spaces just to make a dollar. The driver now faces federal human smuggling charges, and the illegal aliens are being processed for deportation. Smuggle people, and you will be caught. You will be arrested. You will be prosecuted.

17 PEOPLE RECOVERED FROM A STASH HOUSE🚨 Working alongside the Laredo Police Department, USBP agents exposed a human smuggling operation at a residence near Laredo, TX discovering 17 illegal aliens. ▪️ 13 Mexican nationals ▪️ 1 Nicaraguan ▪️ 1 Salvadoran ▪️ 2 Mexican juveniles All illegal aliens will be processed for deportation.

This Colombian national was arrested illegally crossing into the United States. She embarked in this incredibly dangerous journey with her two young grandchildren. As she recounts here perilous journey, the truth is revealed. Criminal cartel organizations don’t care about your safety. Do not put your life in the hands of ruthless smugglers.    The dangers of crossing are real. If you cross illegally, you will be arrested, prosecuted, and deported. @WhiteHouse @DHSgov @CBP @USBPChiefSDC @USBPChiefELC @USBPChiefYUM @USBPChiefTCA @USBPChiefEPT @USBPChiefBBT @USBPChiefDRT @USBPChiefLRT @USBPChiefRGV

22 people inside a sleeper cab—including 2 unaccompanied minors 🛑 Agents and Laredo PD stopped a human smuggler on Highway 35 and discovered 22 illegal aliens packed inside the cab: 19 from Mexico, 1 from Guatemala, and 2 unaccompanied minors from Mexico. The driver, a U.S. citizen, is facing alien smuggling charges. This is the grim reality of human smuggling—people crammed into unsafe spaces, with no regard for their safety. We continue to target, arrest, and prosecute human smugglers to the fullest extent of the law.

SMUGGLER CAUGHT BYPASSING IMMIGRATION CHECKPOINT 🚨 A human smuggler attempted to bypass a USBP immigration checkpoint in Laredo, TX, with four illegal aliens crammed inside the sedan. Agents stopped the car at a gas station and found two individuals lying on the floor and two others on the back seat. The driver is now facing prosecution for alien smuggling, and the illegal aliens will be processed for deportation.

Strategy isn’t one-sided. The U.S. Border Patrol is outmaneuvering criminal cartel organization’s tactics with help from our law enforcement partners. There’s no gap to exploit—only consequences. Cross illegally, and you will be arrested, prosecuted, and deported. @WhiteHouse @DHSgov @CBP @CBPAMO @USBPChiefTCA

MOST SECURE BORDER IN AMERICAN HISTORY. Under the leadership of @POTUS Trump and @SecMullinDHS, we have brought the crisis at our southern border to an end. Promises made, promises kept!

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND THE PATRIOTS DEFENDING OUR HOMELAND 🇺🇸

A convicted sex offender tried to sneak back into the U.S.—and got caught. The Mexican national admitted to being an active Paisa gang member, and his record tells the rest of the story. ▪️ Convicted of lewd & lascivious acts with a child ▪️ Failed to register as a sex offender ▪️ Multiple arrests for drug possession ▪️ Repeated immigration violations & prior deportations This serious public threat is now pending felony illegal reentry charges and will be deported back to Mexico.