Mike Banks has resigned as head of the US Border Patrol, marking the latest high-profile departure in President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement operations. Banks announced his resignation in an interview with Fox News on Thursday, saying "it's just time" to leave.

Banks took credit for a decline in border crossings since Trump began his second term, claiming he had transformed the border from "chaos to the most secure border ever recorded." He expressed a desire to "enjoy family and life."

The resignation follows a series of turnovers within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In March, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem was fired amid questions about spending and enforcement tactics.

In April, acting ICE Director Todd Lyons announced his departure, effective this month. Both Noem and Lyons faced pressure from Trump to increase detentions and deportations, and criticism over aggressive tactics, including a January operation in Minnesota where two US citizens were killed.

Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee highlighted a media report accusing Banks of soliciting prostitutes abroad. A CBP spokesperson said the allegations were investigated and "the matter was closed."

Banks had served as Border Patrol chief for about 16 months, previously working as Texas' "border czar" under Governor Greg Abbott. His replacement is unclear, but DHS has seen new appointments, including Markwayne Mullin as secretary and David Venturella as acting ICE director.

Source: www.aljazeera.com