Biden Names New Border Patrol Chief as Immigration Policies Come Under Scrutiny
President Biden named a new Border Patrol chief on Friday as U.S. immigration policies have come under renewed scrutiny following the end of Title 42, a pandemic-era restriction that allowed the authorities to expel most migrants for more than three years.
Jason Owens, who has served in the Border Patrol for more than 20 years, was most recently the leader of the Del Rio division in Texas, which handles one of the busiest areas for illegal crossings. He succeeds Raul Ortiz, who is set to retire at the end of the month after serving 32 years in the Border Patrol.
Mr. Owens takes over at a time when illegal crossings have decreased. Although the numbers have gone down in the weeks since Title 42 was lifted in May, officials expect the number of crossings to rise again this summer, because they are aware of thousands of migrants who are now making their way through South and Central America with plans to go to the United States.
As the chief of the Del Rio division, Mr. Owens focused much of his time on preparing for and responding to these kinds of influxes. He also will have to contend with legal challenges to new Biden administration border policies, which are designed to deter people from crossing into the United States illegally.
Source: The New York Times
