Arrests for unlawful border crossings from Mexico witnessed a significant decline of 39% in January compared to December, as reported by authorities on Tuesday. This decrease is seen as an initial indicator of the immigration policies being implemented under President Donald Trump’s administration. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Border Patrol recorded 21,593 arrests during January, a drop from 47,316 in December. This figure represents the lowest number of apprehensions since May 2020, around the time when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its height.
The White House has attributed this drop to what it terms the “Trump Effect.” Prior to Trump taking office, border arrests had already been in decline from a record high of 250,000 in December 2023. The reduction can be linked to increased enforcement measures from Mexican authorities and the introduction of strict asylum regulations by then-President Joe Biden in June.
After Donald Trump assumed the presidency on January 20, the number of arrests decreased further, fueled by a series of immigration orders, including a directive to suspend asylum applications under the claim that the U.S. was facing an “invasion” at the southern border. Tom Homan, the Border Czar, noted a remarkable low of 229 border arrests within a single 24-hour span, a record low since he began his career as a Border Patrol agent in 1984. Officials from the Department of Homeland Security express their intent to drive those numbers to zero.
Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks conveyed his determination to ensure border security, stating that he would not consider the situation secure until there is operational control, meaning all illegal crossings result in apprehension or no crossings occur at all. To augment these efforts, Homeland Security announced the launch of a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign both domestically and abroad. The campaign features Secretary Kristi Noem, who warns individuals against illegal entry, asserting, “If you are here illegally, we will find you and deport you. You will never return,” in the promotional material.
