USBP Chief Owens Retiring and Returning Home to Del Rio

United States Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens, photo by CBP

United States Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens is retiring from the Border Patrol after three decades of dedicated service with an “honor first” approach. An announcement was made on January 17, 2025, that Owens would retire the same year on April 30. But sources indicate, his retirement commenced earlier than originally scheduled. In one of his recent public interviews, Owens said, “As soon as I retire, we are making a B-line back to our house in Del Rio.”

Owens is originally from Oklahoma but now calls Del Rio Texas home. Prior to his promotion to Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol in June 2023, Owens served the Del Rio Sector Border Patrol as Chief and was a leader during historic crisis events like the Haitian Bridge Encampment in 2021 and the Uvalde Tragedy in 2022. He spent most of his career in Texas and married a Texan, Cassy Garcia. The Owens family established a strong connection with the Del Rio community and maintained a permanent residence in town, even when work brought them to Washington D.C.

In a statement issued on January 20, US Senator Ted Cruz of Texas said, “I’ve worked alongside Jason for over a decade while he served as Laredo’s Sector Deputy Chief Patrol Agent, then led the Del Rio Sector as its Chief Patrol Agent and now as the 26th Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol in Washington, DC. Jason’s leadership has been an example of unwavering commitment to our country’s safety and security. I wish him a happy retirement on April 30th and every success in his next chapter. On behalf of the people of Texas and the entire nation, thank you.”

Three days after Owens’ retirement announcement, Mike Banks (former Border Czar) was appointed to the role of USBP Chief by President Donald Trump on the day of his inauguration. According to government records, Mike Banks has been installed as the official USBP Chief since January 20, however, Owens was not set to retire from the role until a few months after Banks assumed the role. Sources suggest Owens’ retirement date was moved up to March 22, and a retirement luncheon was held for him on March 20 in Washington D.C. at the Ronald Reagan Building USBP headquarters.

Owens held a dynamic career, working as an EMT, BORTAC agent, BORSTAR agent, Academy Instructor, Chief Patrol Agent, and much more. He was born on Fort Sill and grew up in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, the capital and tribal headquarters of Cherokee Nation. He has worked the northern border, at the Houlton Sector in Maine, and the southern border in Laredo and Del Rio sectors.

During his time as USBP Chief, Owens said in an interview: “One of my primary missions in this role, is to help the American people and our partners and stakeholders out there to see the border patrol through my eyes, if people see that, they can’t help but love them, they can’t help but support them… the men and women who are dedicated to this mission.” He went onto say, “My biggest mission is to be their biggest fan and to make sure everybody sees who they are and what they are about… At the end of the day, when I’m done with this role, if I feel like that has been accomplished, then I feel like my job would have been a success.”

As Owens moves onto the next chapter of his life, he said he remains “hopeful that good things are in store for the Border Patrol.” Owens may be leaving Border Patrol, but that does not mean his service to border communities is ending. When discussing his plans for the future, he said, “I consider myself a servant at heart,” and that he will help however he can while he is back home.