In a dramatic reversal of the tumultuous border crisis that defined the preceding years, unauthorized crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border have plummeted to levels not seen since the late 1960s or early 1970s, according to recent government data. This historic decline, which began in early 2024 and accelerated following subsequent policy changes, marks a seismic shift in the volatile landscape of U.S. immigration enforcement.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data shows that monthly apprehensions by the Border Patrol have dropped to lows averaging just a few hundred per day in some periods, a stark contrast to the record-breaking peak of nearly 250,000 encounters in December 2023.
The Policy Hammer: A Two-Phase Crackdown
The rapid and sustained decrease in irregular migration has been attributed to a series of coordinated, increasingly stringent policies implemented by both the Biden and Trump administrations, as well as significantly enhanced enforcement efforts by Mexico.
1. The Biden Administration’s Pivot (Early to Mid-2024)
The initial and substantial drop in border crossings began in early 2024, stemming from a bipartisan agreement for increased Mexican enforcement. Mexico’s government began what they called “decompression” operations, actively interdicting migrants far from the U.S. border and busing them south, making the journey much more difficult.
This effort was compounded by an executive action in June 2024 by the Biden administration, which implemented a sweeping rule that severely restricted asylum access for nearly all migrants crossing between ports of entry. This policy shift created a strong disincentive for irregular entry, funneling more migrants toward the official ports of entry through the CBP One mobile app for lawful processing.
2. The Trump Administration’s Escalation (Late 2024 – 2025)
The subsequent inauguration of President Donald J. Trump in January 2025 led to a further precipitous decline. The new administration launched a government-wide crackdown, empowering federal officials to swiftly deport migrants without an asylum hearing, often citing the premise of an “invasion” at the border.
These actions included:
- Effective Closure of Asylum: A broad order that critics say has virtually eliminated the U.S. asylum system for those crossing unlawfully.
- Increased Deportations: A near-complete end to the practice of releasing apprehended migrants into the U.S. interior, instead prioritizing rapid deportation or detention.
- Militarization: Deploying thousands of additional military personnel and deputizing state National Guard soldiers to support Border Patrol agents.
The deterrent effect of these combined, severe policies has been widely credited by administration officials for the current low numbers. “The greater the punishment, the larger the deterrent,” Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks stated, emphasizing the success in halting migrant releases.
The Larger Picture: A Humanitarian Dilemma
While the statistics represent a political victory for those seeking tight border control, critics and humanitarian groups warn that the reduction comes at a significant cost. The decrease in crossings reflects the “fragile state” of asylum seekers caught in a tight vise of state pressure and rising desperation, analysts note.
Data from key transit areas, such as the treacherous Darien Gap between Colombia and Panama, also indicates a sharp slowdown in northward migration, suggesting the enforcement push is being felt across the Western Hemisphere.
The current peace at the border is largely a result of policies that prioritize deterrence and rapid removal over humanitarian screening, leading to a massive drop in the number of people referred for credible fear interviews—a key first step in the asylum process.
As one analyst summarized, the Trump administration has set a “new normal” for border flows. The crucial test now is whether this low level of migration can be sustained without addressing the underlying factors—including political instability, economic distress, and gang violence—that continue to drive people from their home countries. Without long-term, comprehensive legislative reform, many experts believe the relative calm is merely temporary.