The head of U.S. Customs and Border Protection has resigned. The Senate confirmed Chris Magnus as commissioner of the agency in December of 2021, but last week, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas asked him to resign.
Last month, 16 Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to President Joe Biden, asking him to seek Magnus' resignation over reports of CBP employees describing him as "unengaged" and failing to attend meetings.
"Even worse, he was caught sleeping through some of the meetings he actually attended," they wrote.
Among the 16 people who signed the letter were three representatives from Texas: Brian Babin, Mayra Flores and Randy Weber.
"This behavior is highly problematic considering the United States is experiencing the worst border-crossing crisis in this country's history," the letter reads.
Customs and Border Protection says it had 227,547 encounters in September, up 11.5% from 204,087 in August. In the last fiscal year, CBP had 2.2 million encounters for illegal border crossings, the highest number ever.
Magnus turned in his resignation this weekend.
"It has been a privilege and honor to be part of your administration," he wrote in the letter. "I am submitting my resignation effective immediately but wish you and your administration the very best going forward. Thank you again for this tremendous opportunity."
The White House said the president had accepted the resignation Saturday night.
"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," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre wrote in a statement.
Deputy Commissioner Troy Miller will serve as acting commissioner.
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