San Diego, California – The U.S. Border Patrol’s San Diego Sector introduced its new chief on Monday, naming agency veteran and San Diego native Justin M. De La Torre as Chief Patrol Agent. The appointment marks a homecoming for De La Torre, who began his career in the region more than two decades ago and now returns to lead one of the busiest and most closely watched border sectors in the country.
De La Torre has spent 25 years with the Border Patrol, serving in posts that span nearly the entire Southwest border and much of the agency’s leadership structure in Washington. In its announcement, the agency described him as a career official shaped by some of its most challenging assignments, from tactical units to migrant interdiction programs. “It’s an honor to return to the sector where my career began,” De La Torre said in a statement.
He first entered service in January 2000 and was assigned to the Imperial Beach Station — an area that has long been a focal point for immigration enforcement, cross-border smuggling, and humanitarian rescues. De La Torre said the experience “laid the foundation for operational excellence” and set the stage for his rise through the ranks.
Over the years, he has served in the All-Terrain Vehicle Unit, the San Diego Air Mobile Unit, the Border Patrol Tactical Unit, the Alien Smuggler Identification and Deterrence program, and the Sector Public Affairs Office. He later held leadership posts in three different border sectors and at Border Patrol headquarters in Washington, D.C.
His most recent job was Chief Patrol Agent for the Yuma Sector in Arizona, where officials credit him with navigating shifting migration patterns and intense operational pressure. The agency said De La Torre “brings a wealth of experience” to the San Diego sector, which continues to see fluctuating migrant encounters and significant humanitarian demands.
For De La Torre, the return appears personal as much as professional. “The men and women of San Diego Sector have profoundly shaped my leadership by exemplifying our motto of ‘Honor First’ in every aspect of their service,” he said. “Their dedication to the common good of the American people, both here in San Diego and across the nation, has strengthened my commitment to our mission.”
His appointment comes as San Diego has once again become a major entry point for migrants from across the globe, straining local resources and prompting repeated calls from city leaders and nonprofits for additional federal support. Border Patrol officials have said that long-term leadership stability is key to managing those pressures.
Jeffrey Stalnaker, who has served as Chief Patrol Agent since 2022, will remain in the sector as Deputy Chief — a move that maintains continuity as the region continues to experience rapid shifts in border enforcement challenges.
