The US Border Patrol chief allegedly bragged to colleagues about paying for sex abroad, but two DHS investigations into it were quietly killed

U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks, 53, is facing allegations that he openly bragged to colleagues about paying for sex workers during trips to countries like Colombia and Thailand. He reportedly even invited some colleagues to join him on these trips. The alleged behavior dates back to when Banks worked as a supervisory field agent in Nogales, Arizona.

Banks was appointed to lead Border Patrol in January 2025, returning to the Department of Homeland Security under Secretary Kristi Noem, 54. According to The Washington Examiner, two internal DHS investigations into these allegations were launched, but both were quietly closed without any publicly disclosed outcome.

Six current and former agents were interviewed about the claims. One of them said, “I don’t know how he became the chief of the Border Patrol with his character,” adding that Banks had personally encouraged him to go on one of these trips. Another source said, “He would tell people that’s why he was going on these trips – he would go there to engage in activities with prostitutes.”

The allegations sit uncomfortably with Border Patrol’s own mission to fight trafficking

Part of Border Patrol’s work involves combating the trafficking of women, which makes the alleged behavior ethically troubling to many insiders. “It’s counter to what we do or what we should be standing for,” one source said. They believe that promoting someone with this kind of history sends a message that such conduct can go unpunished.

One investigation began before Banks retired from the agency in early 2023, and a second was launched around June 2025 after he returned to DHS. The second probe, conducted by CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility, was closed without explanation. A CBP spokesperson said the “allegations date back more than a decade and were reviewed years ago,” confirming the matter was closed.

Border Patrol’s nongovernmental union has defended Banks. Union president Paul Perez stated that the allegation was investigated and Banks was cleared of any misconduct, dismissing the sources as people with “an axe to grind.” 

Notably, Banks has not taken any disciplinary action against the six sources who came forward. CBP’s handling of misconduct complaints has drawn scrutiny in other cases too, including a US citizen’s alleged wrongful detainment by CBP that sparked public outrage.

While paying for sex is legal in both Colombia and Thailand, all six sources maintain that the alleged conduct still violated Border Patrol’s ethics rules, regardless of its legality elsewhere. Banks has not publicly addressed the allegations on his X account, and instead has posted about Border Patrol’s performance under his leadership and an arrest related to a sex offense conviction.

According to The Daily Beast, Banks’ rise to the top of Border Patrol was closely tied to his relationship with the union. When President Trump initially passed over Banks for a commissioner role, the union reportedly secured him the Border Patrol chief position. 

His wife, Mayra Banks, is also a serving agent and holds a position on the union’s executive board. One of Banks’ first actions as chief was to eliminate a long-standing policy that banned managers from fraternizing with subordinates; a rule the union had strongly opposed.

These allegations come during a turbulent time for Customs and Border Protection. Secretary Noem and her chief aide, Corey Lewandowski, 52, were reportedly involved in efforts to push out Senate-confirmed Commissioner Rodney Scott, installing immigration hardliner Gregory Bovino in his place to lead deportation efforts. 

Bovino was later removed by President Trump following public outrage over the deaths of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis in January, including ICU nurse Alex Pretti, 37, who was shot by Border Patrol agents. The broader costs of Trump’s expanding deportation operations have also been a growing concern across the country. 

Joseph Mazzara was then installed as deputy to run the agency over Scott, but was removed from the building shortly after Noem herself was fired. The period also saw more than 15 CBP staffers purged and a DHS inspector general probe into a $220 million advertising contract.