Illegal border crossings hit decades low under Trump crackdown
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Border Patrol vehicles are seen along the fence at the southern U.S. border with Mexico, in Douglas, Ariz. Photo: David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images
Illegal crossings at the nation's borders have fallen to their lowest point in decades, according to new U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) numbers.
Why it matters: The data suggest that President Trump's hardline immigration approach — especially along the U.S.-Mexico border — may be achieving its goal, even as the administration has not stopped all noncitizens without papers from entry.
Driving the news: Illegal crossings in June at the nation's borders dropped to the lowest level ever recorded, the CBP said Tuesday.
- There were 25,228 total encounters nationwide, which is the lowest monthly total in CBP history, according to the agency.
- U.S. Border Patrol apprehensions nationwide also hit a new historic low with 8,024.
- The Southwest border saw 6,072 apprehensions, a 15% drop from the previous record in March.
Zoom in: The agency hit its lowest recorded single-day total on June 28 with only 136 apprehensions, CBP said.
- The CBP added that there were zero parole releases compared to 27,766 released in June 2024 amid an increase in migrants at the border then.
Between the lines: No one knows precisely why migrant traffic along the U.S.-Mexico border has fallen so much, but immigration experts tell Axios that it's likely because migrants and smuggling networks are waiting to see how Trump's enforcement actions play out.
- The massive drop does come as the Trump administration has sent more resources to the border, worked to end humanitarian paroles and similar programs and scaled back on refugee entries.
- It also comes as the number of migrants trying to travel through the dangerous jungles of the Darién Gap to get from Colombia into Panama has fallen dramatically in recent months.
- That's a sign that fewer migrants from South America are risking the treacherous, 2,600-mile journey north to the U.S. border in the early days of Trump's immigration crackdown.
What they're saying: "From shutting down illegal crossings to seizing fentanyl and enforcing billions in tariffs, CBP is delivering results on every front," CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott said in a statement.
- "Under this administration, we are protecting this country with relentless focus, and the numbers prove it."
Yes, but: The Trump administration hasn't completely closed the border in recent months and continues to allow thousands of noncitizens entry into the U.S., according to data from the nonpartisan Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC).
- As of the end of May, a total of 12,347 noncitizens initially deemed "inadmissible" had been paroled into the U.S. since President Trump assumed office.
- That's out of a total of 65,870 persons arriving at ports of entry who were initially found "inadmissible."
- Another 2,680 have been issued "Notices to Appear in Immigration Court" and allowed entry by CBP Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers.
What we're watching: Smuggling networks are likely to regroup and develop new ways to sneak migrants into the U.S.
- A mass deportation in the nation's interior will likely create more worker shortages and demand for cheap labor, absent any comprehensive immigration reform.
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