Head of US Customs and Border Protection resigns

WASHINGTON — The head of U.S. Customs and Border Protection has stepped down as head of the nation’s largest law enforcement agency as agents encounter record numbers of migrants entering the United States from Mexico.

Chris Magnus submitted his resignation to President Joe Biden on Saturday, saying being part of the administration was “a privilege and an honor”.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden had accepted Magnus’ resignation. “President Biden appreciates Commissioner Magnus’ nearly 40-year service and the contributions he has made to police reform during his tenure as sheriff in three cities,” she said. of the United States.

Two people briefed on the matter told The Associated Press on Friday that Magnus was asked to resign or be fired less than a year after he was confirmed. These people spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to address the issue publicly.

Magnus’ removal is part of a larger-than-expected overhaul at the Department of Homeland Security as the agency struggles to manage migrants from various countries, including Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua. This comes as Republicans are likely to take control of the House in January and are expected to launch border investigations.

Migrants were stopped 2.38 million times at the Mexican border in the financial year ended September 30, up 37% from the previous year. The annual total passed 2 million for the first time in August and more than double the peak during Donald Trump’s presidency in 2019.

The Los Angeles Times was the first to report on the ultimatum. In a statement to the newspaper, Magnus said he had been asked by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to resign or be fired.

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