Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Chris Magnus has resigned, according to a statement from the White House released Saturday evening.
Magnus had clashed with immigration officials over how to handle an influx of migrants at the southern border, had lost the confidence of his bosses and had been asked to resign or be fired, POLITICO reported Friday.
“The President has accepted the resignation of Christopher Magnus, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement. “President Biden appreciates Commissioner Magnus’ nearly forty years of service and the contributions he made to police reform during his tenure as police chief in three U.S. cities. The President thanks Mr. Magnus for his service at CBP and wishes him well.”
Magnus submitted his resignation “effective immediately” to President Joe Biden, thanking the administration “for this tremendous opportunity.”
Magnus was told on Wednesday by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas that he should either resign or be dismissed, according to three current and one former Department of Homeland Security officials.