Plummeting Apprehensions at the Southern Border: A Trump-Era Redux
Border Apprehensions Reach Historic Lows
Illegal border crossings have hit a historic low point, reminiscent of the previous Trump administration, as revealed by the latest data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). In January, apprehensions at the southern border fell to just 29,116, a significant decline from December’s 47,000 and the lowest since May 2020.
Overall, CBP apprehended 61,465 illegal immigrants at the southern border in January, a 36% decrease from the previous month. These figures, shared with ABC News, demonstrate a dramatic reversal of the surge in apprehensions witnessed under the Biden administration.
Sharp Decline Under Trump
The numbers took a particularly significant turn after President Trump took office, with apprehensions plummeting by an astonishing 85% between January 21 and 31, compared to the same period in 2024. This trend aligns with the broader reduction in border crossings observed since Trump’s return to the White House.
Fox News recently reported a 93% decrease in the daily average of gotaways – illegal immigrants who enter the U.S. while evading arrest – since the beginning of February, dropping to a mere 132 per day.
A Concerted Effort Yields Results
The improvement in border security appears to have commenced during the early days of the Trump administration, with a 35% reduction in Border Patrol encounters during the first three days compared to the final three days of the Biden presidency.
According to a White House press release, "During the previous administration, the average number of illegal aliens encountered at the southern border in January was 141,710 – the result of dangerous policies that ferried illegal aliens directly into our communities, where they were allowed to stay indefinitely."
Trump’s Policies Delivering Results
In contrast, the release states that "Now, under President Trump, illegal border crossings are at record lows as illegal aliens are promptly arrested and sent home."
The Trump administration’s policies have proven effective in deterring illegal immigration, safeguarding the nation’s borders, and restoring order to the immigration system. This success is a testament to the administration’s commitment to securing the country and enforcing the rule of law.
