Manuel Padilla Jr.

Manuel Padilla Jr., was appointed Director of Joint Task Force – West (JTF-W) of DHS' Southern Border and Approaches Campaign Plan (SBACP) by President Donald Trump in October 2018, and assumed the duties on Dec. 23, 2018.

Previously to his appointment, Director Padilla served as Chief of the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sector and Commander of the Joint Task Force – West, South Texas Corridor.

He entered on duty with the U.S. Border Patrol on Aug. 11, 1986, and his first assignment was at the Sierra Blanca Station in Texas. In 1990, he became a member of the Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC), eventually providing instruction on tactical procedures to host country police forces in Bolivia, El Salvador, and Guatemala.

Director Padilla has held a number of key leadership positions, including Chief Patrol Agent and Deputy Chief Patrol Agent of the Tucson Sector and New Orleans Sector; and Associate Chief at Border Patrol Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He previously served as Patrol Agent in Charge, Ysleta Station, El Paso Sector; Assistant Patrol Agent in Charge, Deming Station, El Paso Sector; Patrol Agent in Charge, Presidio Station, Marfa Sector; Field Operations Supervisor, BORTAC, El Paso, Texas; and Border Patrol Agent Canine Handler.

Director Padilla is a graduate of the CBP SES Candidate Development Program. Prior to joining the Border Patrol, he served in the United States Army for two years.