U.S. Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks abruptly resigned Thursday, telling Fox News, “It’s just time.”Banks reportedly told Fox News that he believed he “got the ship back on course” during his tenure.His departure, effective immediately, comes amid allegations he regularly traveled abroad to solicit sex workers, reportedly bragging about the conduct to Border Patrol colleagues, according to a Washington Examiner report.An investigation into his alleged conduct was terminated while Kristi Noem oversaw the Department of Homeland Security.The Washington Examiner spoke with six current and former Border Patrol employees who said Banks traveled to Colombia and Thailand to solicit sex workers there.“I don’t know how he became the chief of the Border Patrol with his character,” one agent told the outlet on condition of anonymity. “He’s going to third-world countries to take advantage of poor f***ing women, which disgusts the hell out of me.”U.S. Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks participates in a roundtable discussion led by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on January 7, 2026 in Brownsville, Texas. (Photo by Michael Gonzalez/Getty Images)Michael Gonzalez via Getty ImagesAccording to The Daily Beast, Banks’ conduct was the subject of two separate investigations while he worked at CPB: one before he retired in 2023 and a second, in June 2025, that was closed during Noem’s tenure without publicly disclosing its findings.“These allegations date back more than a decade and were reviewed years ago. The matter was closed,” a spokesperson told the outlet. “CBP takes allegations regarding misconduct seriously. We cherish the public’s trust and work tirelessly to uphold the rule of law and hold ourselves accountable.”U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott also confirmed Banks’ departure in a statement to CNBC.“We thank U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks for his decades of service to this country and congratulate him on his second retirement after returning to serve during one of the most challenging periods for border security,” Scott said.The NewsCan't Wait.Neither Can We.Your SupportFuelsOur MissionYour SupportFuelsOur MissionSupport HuffPostMisinformation spreads fast. Fact-based reporting is how we fight back. Your membership funds the reporters holding power accountable every single day. Join HuffPost and be part of our mission.We remain committed to providing you with the unflinching, fact-based journalism everyone deserves.Thank you again for your support along the way. We’re truly grateful for readers like you! Your initial support helped get us here and bolstered our newsroom, which kept us strong during uncertain times. Now as we continue, we need your help more than ever. We hope you will join us once again.We remain committed to providing you with the unflinching, fact-based journalism everyone deserves.Thank you again for your support along the way. We’re truly grateful for readers like you! Your initial support helped get us here and bolstered our newsroom, which kept us strong during uncertain times. Now as we continue, we need your help more than ever. We hope you will join us once again.“Our fierce, independent reporting and unvarnished perspective hold power to account and inform millions of readers. Please support this hard-hitting journalism.”Whitney SnyderEditor-in-Chief HuffPostSupport $5/monthSilverMonthly recurring supporter-only emailFewer requests for financial supportSupport $10/monthGoldEverything in the Silver TierAd-free access on the HuffPost website OR HuffPost appsSay goodbye to annoying video interruptions while you read. No more autoplay videos.Support $20/monthPlatinumEverything in the Gold TierAd-free access on the HuffPost website AND HuffPost appsEarly access to new featuresMembership to Platinum Club focus groupMake a One Time ContributionJoin HuffPostAlready a member? Log in to hide these messages.Close