An Interview With the Man Behind Trump’s Current Immigration Crackdown

Warning: This episode contains strong language.


As the Trump administration ramps up its crackdown on illegal immigration, it has turned to Gregory Bovino, a Border Patrol official, to try to increase deportations. He has been at the center of some of the most aggressive raids and tactics being used in American cities.


Hamed Aleaziz, who covers immigration policy, speaks to Mr. Bovino about his career and why his militaristic approach may be here to stay.


Guest:

• Hamed Aleaziz (https://www.nytimes.com/by/hamed-aleaziz) , who covers the Department of Homeland Security and immigration policy in the United States for The New York Times.
• Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol chief leading the Southern California immigration crackdown.

Background reading: 

• Read the interview (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/29/us...) with Mr. Bovino.
• A federal judge ruled that Mr. Bovino, who has also led operations in Chicago, had lied about tear gas usage in clampdowns there (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/us...) .

Photo: Gabriela Bhaskar/The New York Times


For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily (http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-t...) . Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. 






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