Trump’s Immigration Policies Impact Migrant Flow into the US
Since the inception of the Trump administration, a significant decline in migrant flow has been observed at a migrant shelter along a pathway to the US in northern Mexico. This development has prompted White House Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai to credit Trump’s immigration policies, emphasizing their prioritization of American interests.
Reduction in Migrant Flow
Mexican news outlet Milenio reported on February 1, 2023, that the migratory flow passing through the Mexican city of Torreón has drastically decreased, aligning with the threats made by the US President. The outlet cited migrant activists who attributed the disappearance of migrants from the region to the fear of detention in the wake of deportations.
María Concepción Martínez Rodríguez, a migrant activist and coordinator of the Jesús Torres Fraire Day Center for Migrants in Torreón, told Milenio that the increased militarization and difficulty of crossing the border have discouraged many migrants from attempting the journey. She noted that some shelters have seen a complete absence of migrants.
Trump’s Immigration Crackdown
Upon returning to office, President Trump has prioritized border security and illegal immigration crackdown, aligning with his campaign promises. These initiatives have included:
- Resuming border wall construction
- Deploying active-duty US service members to the border
- Enhancing enforcement and removal operations by Immigration and Customs and Enforcement (ICE)
- Designating certain migrant gangs as foreign terrorist organizations
Apprehensions and Arrests
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) statistics indicate a significant decrease in illegal immigrant apprehensions along the southern border. In January 2023, CBP apprehended 29,116 individuals, down from 47,000 in December 2022. This represents the lowest number since May 2020, when 32,349 arrests were made.
Administration Officials’ Reaction
Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, hailed the administration’s success in curbing illegal immigration, highlighting the low number of apprehensions along the southwest border compared to the high levels observed under the Biden administration.
Desai attributed the swift reduction in migrant flow to Trump’s policies, which have reversed the "migrant crisis" created during the Biden-Harris tenure. He emphasized the President’s commitment to border protection and prioritizing the interests of American citizens.
Impact and Outlook
The decrease in migrant flow at the Torreón shelter is seen as an indication of the effectiveness of Trump’s immigration policies. However, it remains to be seen whether this trend will continue in the long term and if other factors, such as economic conditions in the migrants’ countries of origin, may influence future migratory patterns.
