Biden Selects New Head of Border Patrol As Policies on Immigration Are Reviewed

In light of the end of Title 42, a pandemic-related restriction that permitted the authorities to deport most migrants, President Biden has named a new head of Border Patrol during a time when immigration policies are under renewed scrutiny. Jason Owens, who has spent more than 20 years working with the Border Patrol, most recently as the head of the Del Rio division in Texas, one of the busiest areas for illegal crossings, will take over from Raul Ortiz, who will retire at the end of June after 32 years of service.

Mr. Owens is assuming leadership of the Border Patrol during a time when illegal crossings have decreased. Nevertheless, with the lifting of Title 42 in May, officials expect the figure to rise again this summer because a huge number of migrants are currently travelling through South and Central America with plans to head to the United States.

As head of the Del Rio division, Mr. Owens devoted much of his attention to preparing for and responding to such influxes. He will also have to tackle legal challenges to the new border policies introduced by the Biden administration, which are intended to discourage people from entering the United States without legal authorization.

The Biden administration has expressed concern that the legal challenges could impede its efforts to deal with border crossings. The southern border saw record levels of illegal migration during the Biden administration, causing resources to be stretched to the limit at times and leading to accusations from Republicans that the president is failing to keep the border secure.

In a statement on Friday, the Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro N. Mayorkas, praised Mr. Owens, describing him as “talented” and “selfless.”

“I am inspired by his commitment to the mission, and am grateful to him for his continued service in this new leadership role,” remarked Mr. Mayorkas.

A 99-year-old agency charged with securing America’s borders with Canada and Mexico, the Border Patrol has been subject to calls from Democrats for increased transparency, as have its parent agency, Customs and Border Protection.

The Border Patrol union has largely pro-Republican rank-and-file agents and is a vociferous supporter of former President Donald J. Trump. It has criticized the Biden administration for ending some of Mr Trump’s border policies.

Mr. Owens’s time in Del Rio began after a surge in migration there in 2021, when hordes of mainly Haitian migrants crossed the border illegally and overran border resources. The reaction, which involved agents on horseback, drew widespread criticism after images of an agent using his lariat like a whip went viral.

An internal investigation confirmed that Border Patrol agents used “unnecessary” force but discovered no evidence to support claims by migrants and others that agents used horse reins to target them.

However, the episode, during which 15,000 migrants crossed in a few days, has remained a low point of Mr. Biden’s administration, acting as a reminder of the Border Patrol’s long-standing criticism over its treatment of migrants.