Migrant Border Encounters Under Trump Continue to Dwarf Biden's Record Highs

Illegal migrant border encounters have seen a dramatic decline since President Donald Trump assumed office in January, with numbers reaching record lows compared to the same time last year under former President Joe Biden. Border Patrol sources report significant reductions in apprehensions across key regions.

In El Paso, Texas, only 32 encounters were recorded on Thursday compared to a staggering 1,134 on the same day in 2024—a jaw-dropping 97% decrease. The story is similar in Tucson, Arizona, with apprehensions dropping from 1,222 last year to just 59 yesterday, marking a 95% reduction. Meanwhile, San Diego saw a 96% drop, with 36 apprehensions compared to 908 in 2024.

Nationwide, there were only 254 apprehensions across the southern border on Thursday, compared to 4,229 on the same day last year—a 94% reduction. This sharp decline follows Trump's earlier announcement that February saw just 8,326 apprehensions, the lowest monthly figure in recent history and a stark contrast to the December 2023 high of 249,785 under Biden.

Trump has been quick to take credit for the drop, declaring that the border is now "closed" and emphasizing that illegal border crossers will face swift deportation or prosecution. "This means that very few people came – The Invasion of our Country is OVER," he stated, adding that anyone attempting to enter the U.S. illegally would face "significant criminal penalties." Love him or hate him, the man knows how to make his point loudly and clearly.

In contrast, Biden's administration faced single-day apprehension figures as high as 10,000 migrants during the height of the border crisis. December 2023 was the administration’s most challenging month, with record-breaking numbers of migrants intercepted.

The reduced numbers under Trump come despite no new immigration legislation being passed by Congress. Instead, the administration has relied on executive orders and strict enforcement of existing laws to curb illegal crossings. Notable measures include ending birthright citizenship, suspending refugee admissions, resuming border wall construction, and terminating the use of an app that allowed migrants to gain entry via humanitarian parole.

Border czar Tom Homan and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have spearheaded these efforts, emphasizing arrests and deportations of individuals with criminal records. Trump's hard-line stance on immigration remains a cornerstone of his presidency, fulfilling one of his key campaign promises.

Other regions also saw steep declines in encounters. For example, Del Rio recorded 36 encounters yesterday compared to 207 last year, while the Rio Grande Valley saw 35 encounters, a sharp drop from 372. Smaller border sectors like Laredo, Yuma, Big Bend, and El Campo also reported significant decreases in apprehensions.

Trump's approach has undoubtedly yielded measurable results, but it also reignites the debate on immigration policy and humanitarian considerations. Whether these tactics prove sustainable or spark further controversy remains to be seen, but for now, the numbers speak volumes.