“I am Hispanic”: Rosario Vasquez Assumes Command as New U.S. Border Patrol Chief

Rosario Vasquez officially took command as the new chief of the U.S. Border Patrol on June 1, bringing over 26 years of experience within the agency. Vasquez, who publicly identifies as Hispanic, now oversees a force of nearly 20,000 agents and personnel operating across the United States.

While the CBP has not released extensive details about his family background, Vasquez identified himself as Hispanic in a 2014 interview with East County Magazine. At the time, he was an assistant chief with the Border Patrol in San Diego and responded to a controversy surrounding a security demonstration. He rejected an interpretation that a metallic figure used in the demonstration represented a foreigner, stating, "I wear jeans and a t-shirt every day and I am Hispanic, so that statement offends me."

The CBP introduced Vasquez, the 28th chief of the Border Patrol, on X. His career has included assignments along the southern and northern borders, at the agency's headquarters, and in international posts. The agency highlighted his graduation from the Search, Trauma, and Rescue (Borstar) unit and his roles within the Special Operations Group, CBP's Office of Anti-Terrorism, and the Alliance to Combat Transnational Threats.

Before his current appointment, Vasquez served as CBP deputy in Canada and as interim executive director in the Office of Trade. He is married to Rebecca, and they have three daughters and three grandchildren. Vasquez initially studied fire science, aspiring to be a paramedic firefighter, and attended Southwestern College and Miramar College in San Diego. He joined the Border Patrol after deciding to accept the first agency that offered him a position, which was CBP.

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I wear jeans and a t-shirt every day and I am Hispanic, so that statement offends me.