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Commissioner’s Statement on the Appointment of Ronald D. Vitiello as Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol

Release Date
Tue, 01/31/2017

I am pleased to announce the selection of Ronald D. Vitiello as Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, effective Feb. 1, 2017.

Official Photo of U.S. Border Patrol Chief Ronald Vitiello
 U.S. Border Patrol Chief 
Ronald Vitiello

Chief Vitiello is uniquely qualified for this important senior executive leadership post – which is equivalent to an Executive Assistant Commissioner position – having served as Acting Chief from Dec. 1, 2015 until July 20, 2016, when he was appointed Executive Assistant Commissioner for Operations Support.

Chief Vitiello is an exceptional leader who has dedicated more than 30 years of service to our nation. He began his career in Laredo, Texas, entering on duty as a Border Patrol agent in 1985 as a member of Class 174.

Since then, he has held numerous leadership positions, including Supervisory Border Patrol Agent; Special Operations Supervisor; Assistant Patrol Agent in Charge; Chief Patrol Agent for the Swanton (Vermont) and Rio Grande Valley Sectors; Assistant Chief Patrol Agent; and Senior Associate Chief. During his career, Chief Vitiello participated in Special Response Team operations and was instrumental in formulating the Laredo Sector Criminal Alien Program. He also oversaw the regional implementation of Operation Rio Grande in 1997, and he worked extensively in the Tucson Sector Community Relations Office.

Chief Vitiello played a key role in standing up CBP as our nation’s unified border agency in 2003, having been assigned to the Operations Division of the former Border and Transportation Security Directorate. Chief Vitiello came to CBP headquarters in 2010 when he was named Deputy Chief. He previously served as Chief of the Rio Grande Valley Sector; that Sector is one of the largest, busiest Border Patrol Sectors in the country.  

Please join me in congratulating Chief Vitiello on his new position as Chief, U.S. Border Patrol.  

Kevin K. McAleenan
Acting Commissioner

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021