AUR leader and newly elected vice-president of the European Conservatives, George Simion, announced on Saturday evening, June 20, that he is in Romania alongside Gregory K. Bovino, one of the most prominent former U.S. officials involved in border security and the fight against illegal immigration.
The message was posted on X and suggests that Bovino’s visit is linked to growing cooperation between European conservative movements and political circles associated with former U.S. President Donald Trump.
“As you saw: @GregoryKBovino is in Romania as a special guest. After the vote in the European Parliament, somebody has to take care of all the aliens in our countries 😇 #saveeurope #SaveEuropeAct #PatriotsNetwork #ICE,” Simion wrote.
Notably, the message was posted in English rather than Romanian.
Bovino compares Vlad the Impaler to a Border Patrol agent
Bovino’s presence in Romania comes shortly after he published a message dedicated to Vlad the Impaler, portraying the medieval ruler as a symbol of border protection.
“Vlad the Impaler was the OG Border Patrol Agent of Romania. They called him ‘ruthless’ and ‘vicious’, but he cared about his people and protected their borders,” Gregory K. Bovino wrote in a post published on June 19.
In essence, the message describes Vlad the Impaler as Romania’s “original Border Patrol agent.” The comparison is not accidental. Bovino built his career within the U.S. Border Patrol, the federal agency responsible for securing America’s borders and preventing illegal crossings.
Bovino’s video message was filmed in Târgoviște, in front of the statue of Vlad the Impaler located in Chindia Park, near the Princely Court and the iconic Chindia Tower, one of the most important landmarks of the former capital of Wallachia.
The monument depicts Vlad III Dracula holding a sword in front of him and is dedicated to the ruler who governed Wallachia in 1448, 1456–1462 and 1476. The statue is among the best-known monuments dedicated to Vlad the Impaler in Romania and is closely associated with Târgoviște, the city that served as his principal royal residence and from which he led many of his military campaigns against the Ottoman Empire.
Who is Gregory Bovino, the „Little Napoleon” of the border
Gregory K. Bovino built his career within the U.S. Border Patrol, the agency responsible for monitoring and securing America’s borders under U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Bovino led the El Centro Sector in California, one of the most important sections of the U.S.-Mexico border, overseeing operations targeting illegal immigration, human trafficking, and smuggling networks. In conservative circles close to Donald Trump, he became known for his hardline stance on border security.
The British press, particularly The Times, referred to him as „Little Napoleon,” a nickname used by both critics and commentators to describe his highly visible, theatrical, and authoritative leadership style.
His public statements against illegal immigration and in favor of the rapid deportation of people residing unlawfully in the United States turned him into one of the most recognizable figures within the American conservative movement on migration issues.
Following controversy surrounding immigration enforcement operations conducted in Minneapolis, Bovino was removed from that role and retired in March 2026 after nearly three decades of service in federal law enforcement.
In Minneapolis, he coordinated large-scale immigration enforcement operations that involved arrests and inspections in communities with significant migrant populations. Those actions were praised by supporters of strict immigration policies but criticized by local officials and civil rights organizations, which accused federal authorities of using excessive methods and contributing to social tensions.
Supporters view Bovino as a symbol of strong law enforcement and national security. Critics, particularly migrant rights organizations, have repeatedly condemned his hardline positions and support for restrictive immigration measures.
Links to AUR and conservative networks
Bovino’s visit to Romania appears to be part of the increasingly visible ties between AUR and conservative organizations in the United States. In recent days, George Simion has reposted several messages from American conservative activists and commentators.
Among them was a message from Mark Ivanyo, who noted that he had recently attended a conference in Cluj-Napoca co-hosted by the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) and AUR, and had the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion alongside George Simion.
The meeting between the AUR leader and Gregory Bovino comes at a time when migration and border security have once again become central topics in European political debate.
George Simion, leader of the far-right AUR party, was reconfirmed on Friday as a vice president of the European Conservatives and Reformists Party (ECR), according to a statement released by the political group. Simion was unanimously elected as one of ECR’s three vice presidents, alongside Carlo Fidanza and Marion Maréchal. The party is chaired by Mateusz Morawiecki, Poland’s prime minister from 2018 to 2023.
