Michael Banks, the chief of the US Border Patrol, resigned on Thursday (May 14), becoming the latest senior immigration enforcement official to exit the Trump administration. "We thank US Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks for his decades of service to this country," Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott said. "During his time as chief, the border was transformed from chaos to the most secure border ever recorded," Scott added. US President Donald Trump returned to office after campaigning on promises to tighten border security, curb crossings at the US-Mexico border, and deport millions of undocumented migrants.&nbsp;During Banks’ tenure, the Border Patrol expanded its role beyond border security, participating in immigration enforcement operations in major US cities. Agents conducted raids and migrant roundups in places including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis. The resignation follows several leadership changes within Trump’s immigration enforcement apparatus. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was replaced in March, while Todd Lyons, the acting director of ICE, recently announced plans to step down later this month.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-to-order-200-boeing-jets-trump-says-xi-offered-to-broker-peace-with-iran-1778784103773">China to order 200 Boeing jets; Trump says Xi offered to broker peace with Iran</a><h2>Who is Michael Banks?</h2>Banks was appointed by Trump in January 2025 after previously serving as Texas’s ‘border czar’ under Governor Greg Abbott. Before that, he spent more than two decades with the Border Patrol, though mostly in mid-level leadership roles. Unlike some high-profile officials involved in immigration crackdowns, Banks maintained a relatively low public profile during controversial city-level enforcement operations. Meanwhile, Border Patrol official Bovino frequently led groups of agents through Democratic-led cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis. In his farewell message to agents, Banks wrote he would ‘forever be the greatest defender’ of the agency. Banks had previously left CBP during President Joe Biden’s administration, citing low morale and disagreements with border policies, before returning under Trump’s second term.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/kerala-gets-new-cm-congress-announces-new-kerala-cm-after-10-days-of-suspense-1778774361290/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/kerala-gets-new-cm-congress-announces-new-kerala-cm-after-10-days-of-suspense-1778774361290/embed</a>&nbsp;In addition to his Border Patrol career, Banks also served in the US Navy and held other law enforcement positions. It remains unclear who will replace him as chief of the Border Patrol. The Border Patrol’s involvement in immigration enforcement operations inside US cities has drawn significant criticism from Trump administration opponents, especially after two American citizens were killed during federal immigration actions in Minneapolis earlier this year.

Michael Banks resigns as US Border Patrol chief during Trump’s second term amid intensified immigration raids, border security efforts, and growing criticism over federal enforcement operations in major US cities

Michael Banks, the chief of the US Border Patrol, resigned on Thursday (May 14), becoming the latest senior immigration enforcement official to exit the Trump administration. "We thank US Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks for his decades of service to this country," Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott said. "During his time as chief, the border was transformed from chaos to the most secure border ever recorded," Scott added. US President Donald Trump returned to office after campaigning on promises to tighten border security, curb crossings at the US-Mexico border, and deport millions of undocumented migrants. During Banks’ tenure, the Border Patrol expanded its role beyond border security, participating in immigration enforcement operations in major US cities. Agents conducted raids and migrant roundups in places including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis. The resignation follows several leadership changes within Trump’s immigration enforcement apparatus. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was replaced in March, while Todd Lyons, the acting director of ICE, recently announced plans to step down later this month. Also Read: China to order 200 Boeing jets; Trump says Xi offered to broker peace with Iran Who is Michael Banks? Banks was appointed by Trump in January 2025 after previously serving as Texas’s ‘border czar’ under Governor Greg Abbott. Before that, he spent more than two decades with the Border Patrol, though mostly in mid-level leadership roles. Unlike some high-profile officials involved in immigration crackdowns, Banks maintained a relatively low public profile during controversial city-level enforcement operations. Meanwhile, Border Patrol official Bovino frequently led groups of agents through Democratic-led cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis. In his farewell message to agents, Banks wrote he would ‘forever be the greatest defender’ of the agency. Banks had previously left CBP during President Joe Biden’s administration, citing low morale and disagreements with border policies, before returning under Trump’s second term. https://www.wionews.com/videos/kerala-gets-new-cm-congress-announces-new-kerala-cm-after-10-days-of-suspense-1778774361290/embed In addition to his Border Patrol career, Banks also served in the US Navy and held other law enforcement positions. It remains unclear who will replace him as chief of the Border Patrol. The Border Patrol’s involvement in immigration enforcement operations inside US cities has drawn significant criticism from Trump administration opponents, especially after two American citizens were killed during federal immigration actions in Minneapolis earlier this year.

In the latest DHS shake-up, Michael Banks resigned as US Border Patrol chief amid Trump-era immigration crackdowns and growing scrutiny over city operations

US Border Patrol chief Michael Banks resigns amid DHS leadership shake-up

The Northern Land border of the US, the land crossing with Canada, saw a sharp increase in illegal crossings by Indian nationals this year, according to official data from US Customs and Border Patrol (USCBP).

USCBP noted that this fiscal year, 43,764 Indians were detained by border forces — making up 22 per cent of the 198,929 total encounters recorded at the border.&nbsp;

As per USCBP, data fiscal year runs from October to September the next year.

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In contrast, in the fiscal year 2022, Indian nationals accounted for nearly 16 per cent (17,331) of the 109,535 border encounters.

By 2023, as the number of total illegal crossings swelled to 189,402, the number of Indian nationals jumped to 30,010.&nbsp;

These figures represent only those intercepted by authorities.

<img alt="Data" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="669b3e91-be0b-451b-b953-7329042da024" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20wion%20%2871%29.jpg" />

<h2>Trump's border moves</h2>

US President-elect Donald Trump, a vocal advocate of harsher border controls, has publicly called on Canada to curb these crossings, warning of a 25 per cent potential tariff on Canadian exports if the issue isn't addressed.

During a recent visit to Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, accompanied by Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc — in charge of the USCBP’s counterpart, the Canadian Border Services Agency — reportedly discussed this matter alongside broader bilateral concerns.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-officially-pardons-son-hunter-says-i-hope-americans-will-understand-breaking-news-780722">Joe Biden officially pardons son Hunter, says 'I hope Americans will understand'</a>

<h2>Why Canada border?</h2>

The US-Canada border is traditionally less scrutinised than its southern counterpart — the US-Mexico border.

According to the Washington-based think-tank, Niskanen Center, Canada, is an "increasingly a more accessible entry point for Indians".

The average processing time for a Canadian visitor visa is 76 days, compared to a nearly year-long wait for US visas.&nbsp;

"The US-Canada border is also longer and less guarded than the US-Mexico border," it added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The Northern Land border of the US, the land crossing with Canada, saw a sharp increase in illegal crossings by Indian nationals this year, according to official data from US Customs and Border Patrol (USCBP).

The Northern Land border of the US, the land crossing with Canada, saw a sharp increase in illegal crossings by Indian nationals this year, according to official data from US Customs and Border Patrol (USCBP). USCBP noted that this fiscal year, 43,764 Indians were detained by border forces — making up 22 per cent of the 198,929 total encounters recorded at the border. As per USCBP, data fiscal year runs from October to September the next year. Also read | Donald Trump picks daughter's father-in-law Massad Boulos as his Middle East advisor In contrast, in the fiscal year 2022, Indian nationals accounted for nearly 16 per cent (17,331) of the 109,535 border encounters. By 2023, as the number of total illegal crossings swelled to 189,402, the number of Indian nationals jumped to 30,010. These figures represent only those intercepted by authorities. Trump's border moves US President-elect Donald Trump, a vocal advocate of harsher border controls, has publicly called on Canada to curb these crossings, warning of a 25 per cent potential tariff on Canadian exports if the issue isn't addressed. During a recent visit to Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, accompanied by Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc — in charge of the USCBP’s counterpart, the Canadian Border Services Agency — reportedly discussed this matter alongside broader bilateral concerns. Also read | Joe Biden officially pardons son Hunter, says 'I hope Americans will understand' Why Canada border? The US-Canada border is traditionally less scrutinised than its southern counterpart — the US-Mexico border. According to the Washington-based think-tank, Niskanen Center, Canada, is an "increasingly a more accessible entry point for Indians". The average processing time for a Canadian visitor visa is 76 days, compared to a nearly year-long wait for US visas. "The US-Canada border is also longer and less guarded than the US-Mexico border," it added. (With inputs from agencies)

US customs data reveals sharp rise in Indians illegally crossing into US via Canada border: Report

The father of the&nbsp;seven-year-old Guatemalan migrant who died after being detained by US border agents called for an objective investigation into the incident on Saturday.

"The family is seeking an objective and thorough investigation and are asking that investigators will assess this incidence within nationally-recognised standards for the arrest and custody of children," her father Nery Caal's lawyers said in a statement.

The attorneys representing the father also urged media not to speculate on the cause of death as neither the hospital nor the medical examiner has released an official statement.

On December 8 Jakelin Caal died of high fever in a hospital in El Paso, Texas.&nbsp;She died hours later while she was in the care of US Customs and Border Patrol.&nbsp;

As US authorities are&nbsp;investigating the matter, the exact cause of her death has not been determined so far.

Her lawyers also criticised border authorities for asking her father Nery Caal to sign a form written in English about the state of his daughter's health as "he speaks no English".

As per the lawyers' statement, her father speaks Q'eqchi', a Mayan language used in Guatemala, and Spanish is his second language.

"It is unacceptable for any government agency to have persons in custody sign documents in a language that they clearly do not understand," the statement said.

The lawyers also clarified reports saying that that Jakelin had "not eaten or had any water for several days" while crossing the desert before the border patrol took her into custody.

"Jakelin's father took care of Jakelin... made sure she was fed and had sufficient water," the statement said.&nbsp;

"She had not suffered from a lack of water or food prior to approaching the border."

Jakelin Caal accompanied by her father Nery were in a group of over 160 migrants who handed themselves into US border agents in New Mexico earlier this week.

Her death has s<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/death-of-seven-year-old-migrant-girl-in-us-custody-sparks-furor-184139">parked an outrage across the country</a> with leaders demanding a proper investigation into the matter. The case has also raised pressure on Trump and his administration's efforts to halt the migration of Central American families.

White House deputy spokesman Hogan Gidley called Caal's death "a horrific, tragic situation," but also said it was avoidable.

"It's a needless death and it's 100 per cent preventable," he told reporters.

"This could be my daughter or yours, let that sink in America," said newly elected Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, herself a refugee from Somalia.

Deforestation to make way for palm-oil plantations has made subsistence farming increasingly hard for the 40,000 inhabitants of Raxruha municipality in Guatemala, That has spurred an exodus of migrants.

Almost 80 percent of Guatemala's indigenous population are poor, with half of those living in extreme poverty. The mayor of San Antonio de Cortez described the Caal family as among the worst off in the village.

Record numbers of parents travelling with children are being apprehended trying to cross the US border with Mexico. In November, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers detained 25,172 members of "family units," the highest monthly number ever recorded, the agency said. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from news agencies)

The father of the seven-year-old Guatemalan migrant who died after being detained by US border agents called for an objective investigation into the incident on Saturday.

The father of the seven-year-old Guatemalan migrant who died after being detained by US border agents called for an objective investigation into the incident on Saturday. "The family is seeking an objective and thorough investigation and are asking that investigators will assess this incidence within nationally-recognised standards for the arrest and custody of children," her father Nery Caal's lawyers said in a statement. The attorneys representing the father also urged media not to speculate on the cause of death as neither the hospital nor the medical examiner has released an official statement. On December 8 Jakelin Caal died of high fever in a hospital in El Paso, Texas. She died hours later while she was in the care of US Customs and Border Patrol. As US authorities are investigating the matter, the exact cause of her death has not been determined so far. Her lawyers also criticised border authorities for asking her father Nery Caal to sign a form written in English about the state of his daughter's health as "he speaks no English". As per the lawyers' statement, her father speaks Q'eqchi', a Mayan language used in Guatemala, and Spanish is his second language. "It is unacceptable for any government agency to have persons in custody sign documents in a language that they clearly do not understand," the statement said. The lawyers also clarified reports saying that that Jakelin had "not eaten or had any water for several days" while crossing the desert before the border patrol took her into custody. "Jakelin's father took care of Jakelin... made sure she was fed and had sufficient water," the statement said. "She had not suffered from a lack of water or food prior to approaching the border." Jakelin Caal accompanied by her father Nery were in a group of over 160 migrants who handed themselves into US border agents in New Mexico earlier this week. Her death has sparked an outrage across the country with leaders demanding a proper investigation into the matter. The case has also raised pressure on Trump and his administration's efforts to halt the migration of Central American families. White House deputy spokesman Hogan Gidley called Caal's death "a horrific, tragic situation," but also said it was avoidable. "It's a needless death and it's 100 per cent preventable," he told reporters. "This could be my daughter or yours, let that sink in America," said newly elected Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, herself a refugee from Somalia. Deforestation to make way for palm-oil plantations has made subsistence farming increasingly hard for the 40,000 inhabitants of Raxruha municipality in Guatemala, That has spurred an exodus of migrants. Almost 80 percent of Guatemala's indigenous population are poor, with half of those living in extreme poverty. The mayor of San Antonio de Cortez described the Caal family as among the worst off in the village. Record numbers of parents travelling with children are being apprehended trying to cross the US border with Mexico. In November, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers detained 25,172 members of "family units," the highest monthly number ever recorded, the agency said. (With inputs from news agencies)

Father of dead Guatemalan migrant calls for objective investigation into death

President Donald Trump is likely to give US troops authority to protect immigration agents stationed along the US border with Mexico if they come under threat from migrants seeking to cross into the United States, a US official said on Monday.

Ahead of US congressional elections earlier this month, Trump denounced the approach of a caravan of migrants as an “invasion” that threatened American national security, and he sent thousands of US troops to the border to help secure it.

Currently, the troops do not have authority to protect US Customs and Border Patrol personnel. The new authority could be announced on Tuesday, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

US officials briefly closed the busiest border crossing from Mexico early on Monday to add concrete barricades and razor wire amid concerns some of the thousands of Central American migrants at the border could try to rush the crossing.

Northbound lanes at the San Ysidro crossing from Tijuana to San Diego, California, were temporarily closed “to position additional port hardening materials,” a US CBP spokesperson said.

A Department of Homeland Security official, who requested anonymity, told reporters on a conference call that US officials had heard reports some migrants were intending to run through border crossings into California.

The closing was rare for the station, which is one of the busiest border crossings in the world with tens of thousands of Mexicans heading every day into the United States to work or study.

“Today was a lost day of work. I already called my boss to tell her that everything was closed and I did not know what time I would be able to get in,” said Maria Gomez, a Mexican woman who crosses the border every day for work. “I cannot believe this is happening.”

Trump had remained mostly silent about the caravan since the November 6 vote, but on Monday he posted a photo on Twitter showing a fence that runs from the beach in Tijuana into the ocean now covered with razor wire.

Critics charged that his talk of a migrant “invasion” was an effort to rouse his political base ahead of the elections.

Officials have stressed that the 5,900 active-duty US troops on the border are not there in a law enforcement capacity and that there are no plans for them to interact with migrants.

Instead, their mission is to lend support to the CBP, and they have been stringing up concertina wire and erecting temporary housing.

The commander of the mission told Reuters last week that the number of troops may have peaked, and he would soon look at whether to begin sending forces home or shifting some to new border positions.

About 6,000 Central Americans have reached the border cities of Tijuana and Mexicali, according to local officials. More bands of migrants are making their way toward Tijuana, with around 10,000 expected.

Hundreds of local residents on Sunday massed at a monument in a wealthy neighbourhood of Tijuana to protest the arrival of the migrants, with some carrying signs that said “Mexico first” and “No more migrants.”

Last month, thousands of Central American migrants began a long journey from Honduras through Mexico toward the United States to seek asylum.

Other bands of mostly Salvadorans followed, with a small group setting off on Sunday from San Salvador.

President Donald Trump is likely to give US troops authority to protect immigration agents stationed along the US border with Mexico if they come under threat from migrants seeking to cross into the United States, a US official said on Monday.

President Donald Trump is likely to give US troops authority to protect immigration agents stationed along the US border with Mexico if they come under threat from migrants seeking to cross into the United States, a US official said on Monday. Ahead of US congressional elections earlier this month, Trump denounced the approach of a caravan of migrants as an “invasion” that threatened American national security, and he sent thousands of US troops to the border to help secure it. Currently, the troops do not have authority to protect US Customs and Border Patrol personnel. The new authority could be announced on Tuesday, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. US officials briefly closed the busiest border crossing from Mexico early on Monday to add concrete barricades and razor wire amid concerns some of the thousands of Central American migrants at the border could try to rush the crossing. Northbound lanes at the San Ysidro crossing from Tijuana to San Diego, California, were temporarily closed “to position additional port hardening materials,” a US CBP spokesperson said. A Department of Homeland Security official, who requested anonymity, told reporters on a conference call that US officials had heard reports some migrants were intending to run through border crossings into California. The closing was rare for the station, which is one of the busiest border crossings in the world with tens of thousands of Mexicans heading every day into the United States to work or study. “Today was a lost day of work. I already called my boss to tell her that everything was closed and I did not know what time I would be able to get in,” said Maria Gomez, a Mexican woman who crosses the border every day for work. “I cannot believe this is happening.” Trump had remained mostly silent about the caravan since the November 6 vote, but on Monday he posted a photo on Twitter showing a fence that runs from the beach in Tijuana into the ocean now covered with razor wire. Critics charged that his talk of a migrant “invasion” was an effort to rouse his political base ahead of the elections. Officials have stressed that the 5,900 active-duty US troops on the border are not there in a law enforcement capacity and that there are no plans for them to interact with migrants. Instead, their mission is to lend support to the CBP, and they have been stringing up concertina wire and erecting temporary housing. The commander of the mission told Reuters last week that the number of troops may have peaked, and he would soon look at whether to begin sending forces home or shifting some to new border positions. About 6,000 Central Americans have reached the border cities of Tijuana and Mexicali, according to local officials. More bands of migrants are making their way toward Tijuana, with around 10,000 expected. Hundreds of local residents on Sunday massed at a monument in a wealthy neighbourhood of Tijuana to protest the arrival of the migrants, with some carrying signs that said “Mexico first” and “No more migrants.” Last month, thousands of Central American migrants began a long journey from Honduras through Mexico toward the United States to seek asylum. Other bands of mostly Salvadorans followed, with a small group setting off on Sunday from San Salvador.

Trump to give US troops authority to protect immigration agents

A Colorado woman travelling from Paris, France to Minneapolis, USA got fined $500 by customs for carrying a sealed apple which she received in Delta airline's flight only as a free snack.

As per the regulations of US Customs and Border Protection demands declaration of items at the port of entry which includes fresh fruits as well.

The CBP agent at the airport found the apple during a random search of Cyrstal Tadlock.

With fine her, global entry status has also been revoked.&nbsp;

Global entry status is a US&nbsp;Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States through automatic kiosks at selected airports.

The US daily reported, Tadlock saying that the agent asked her whether her France trip was expensive to which she wondered why he was asking this but after she said yes, the agent fined her with $500 saying "it's about to get a lot more expensive after I charge you $500."

Though Tadlock offered to either throw it or eat it&nbsp;but agent refused and handed her the required fine.

She also protested to the fine by showing a Delta logo on the wrapper to the officer in order to prove that the fruit came from the airline itself.

However, in a statement released by the Airline's spokesperson Michael Thomas that it encourages its customers to adhere to Customs and Border Protection policies and requirements.

Tadlock&nbsp;has now told the authorities that she will fight to revoke the fine by going to court.

US Customs and Border Patrol has also refused to comment on a particular inspection matter but the media has quoted it saying that "all agricultural items must be declared".

The apple had been part of an onboard meal

A Colorado woman travelling from Paris, France to Minneapolis, USA got fined $500 by customs for carrying a sealed apple which she received in Delta airline's flight only as a free snack. As per the regulations of US Customs and Border Protection demands declaration of items at the port of entry which includes fresh fruits as well. The CBP agent at the airport found the apple during a random search of Cyrstal Tadlock. With fine her, global entry status has also been revoked. Global entry status is a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States through automatic kiosks at selected airports. The US daily reported, Tadlock saying that the agent asked her whether her France trip was expensive to which she wondered why he was asking this but after she said yes, the agent fined her with $500 saying "it's about to get a lot more expensive after I charge you $500." Though Tadlock offered to either throw it or eat it but agent refused and handed her the required fine. She also protested to the fine by showing a Delta logo on the wrapper to the officer in order to prove that the fruit came from the airline itself. However, in a statement released by the Airline's spokesperson Michael Thomas that it encourages its customers to adhere to Customs and Border Protection policies and requirements. Tadlock has now told the authorities that she will fight to revoke the fine by going to court. US Customs and Border Patrol has also refused to comment on a particular inspection matter but the media has quoted it saying that "all agricultural items must be declared".

US woman flyer brings in apple, customs fines her $500