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The head of the US Border Patrol, Greg Bovino, who has faced strong criticism after a second deadly incident during the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts in Minneapolis, is set to depart the city on Tuesday with other agents, as reported by officials.

Amid growing controversy, US President Donald Trump has reduced the federal presence in Minneapolis and appointed his border chief, Tom Homan, to replace Bovino, according to US media reports released on Tuesday night.

The choice follows the tragic shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal immigration officers, increasing examination of the enforcement measures and leading to broad demonstrations opposing the presence of federal immigration agents within the state.

Mayor of Minneapolis, Jacob Frey, along with other legislators, called for the removal of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from the state.

“All Alex wished for was to assist someone — anyone. Even during his final moments on this planet,” said Micayla Pretti, Pretti’s younger sister, in a statement released on Monday.

“When will this stop? How many more innocent lives need to be taken before we declare it’s enough?” the statement continued.

Only a few weeks prior, 37-year-old Renée Good was killed by an ICE officer as she was driving her vehicle.

Bovino has emerged as the symbol of the immigration enforcement operation, facing renewed criticism for asserting that Pretti was in possession of a gun and intended to “massacre” law enforcement officers, even though video recordings from multiple perspectives revealed Pretti holding a cell phone, with no indication he was armed.

A group of demonstrators assembled outside the hotel suspected to be Bovino’s accommodation, creating a loud commotion by blowing whistles, clanging pots, and at one instance, playing a trombone to interfere with federal agents inside.

The head of the US Border Patrol encountered strong backlash from local authorities, civil rights groups, and Democratic lawmakers due to his prominent involvement in high-profile federal enforcement actions.

Bovino has often been seen atanti-ICE protests, frequently with his face uncovered, in contrast to other agents. He stands out due to his unique long army-green coat, which has been likened to the attire of the Gestapo, the secret police during Nazi Germany.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom stated that Bovino was dressed as if he “truly bought SS attire from eBay.”

In conversation with local media, Bovino stated that the coat was “issued by the Border Patrol,” noting that he “has possessed it for more than 25 years.”

Trump made ‘a very good call’ with Walz

It seemed as though their relationship was improving, with Trump stating he had a “very good conversation” with Democratic Governor Tim Walz, noting that the two “appeared to be in sync.”

Walz, for his part, referred to the conversation on the social media platform X as “productive” and urged the White House to initiate fair inquiries.

“The leader needs to stop this operation. Remove the thousands of aggressive, inexperienced officers from Minnesota immediately,” he stated in another post.

The U.S. president also had a call with Mayor Frey, describing it as a “very good telephone conversation.”

“Significant advancements are occurring. Tom Homan is scheduled to meet with him tomorrow to keep the conversation going,” Trump posted on his social media site, Truth Social.