Vance Triumphs at Southern Border, Hails Trump Administration’s Impact on Migrant Crossings
Eagle Pass, Texas – Vice President JD Vance embarked on a tour of the southern border on Wednesday, marking what he characterized as a significant victory in border security achieved through the policies enacted by the Trump administration. Accompanied by notable figures including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Vance’s visit to Eagle Pass, Texas, served as a platform to highlight the perceived success in curbing illegal border crossings.
The delegation engaged with Texas state officials, prominently including Governor Greg Abbott, to gain firsthand insights into the ongoing border security operations. The group participated in an aerial survey of the border region and personally inspected a segment of the newly constructed border wall, a symbol of the Trump administration’s commitment to bolstering border defenses.
In his address to the press, Vance directly referenced President Donald Trump’s remarks delivered during his State of the Union address on Tuesday. Vance emphasized what he viewed as the effectiveness of the administration’s approach, proclaiming, "It turns out we didn’t need new laws. We didn’t need fancy legislation. We just needed a new President of the United States. And thank God, that’s exactly what we have."
The trio’s itinerary included a visit to a Border Patrol detention facility, providing them with an opportunity to assess the infrastructure and operational capabilities in place. Subsequently, they participated in a roundtable discussion involving both local and national stakeholders, underscoring the multifaceted nature of border security issues.
Defense Secretary Hegseth articulated the administration’s perspective, asserting, "Border security is national security." In a statement to Fox News prior to the trip, Hegseth stated that the administration is sending those folks home, and we’re not letting more in. And you’re seeing that right now."
Vance cited statistics indicating a dramatic reduction in border crossings, claiming a decrease from 1,500 daily encounters to a mere 30. He also emphasized an 85% reduction in migrant fatalities at the border.
Vance emphasized that keeping this border safe means less migrant crime. That means less fentanyl coming into our communities. That means more safety and security for the people of the United States of America. Our mission is very clear. Our objective is to keep the American people safe, Gabbard stated, while emphasizing the designation of cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
President Trump’s administration had initiated a series of executive orders to declare a national emergency at the southern border and deploy military personnel to the region. The administration resumed border wall construction and discontinued Biden’s parole policies. The Pentagon deployed troops and opened Guantanamo Bay to migrant flights. The Department of Homeland Security removed limits on interior enforcement and broadened the use of expedited removal. The State Department secured additional cooperation with other countries to return migrants. That’s in addition to an interior enforcement campaign that has led to the arrests of thousands of illegal immigrants throughout the country, including in "sanctuary" cities.
Recent data indicated a significant drop in southern border encounters. February witnessed a reported 8,326 encounters, a stark contrast to the 189,913 encounters recorded in February 2024. The administration asserted that it had removed more than 55,000 illegal immigrants from the U.S.
An unnamed Border Patrol source conveyed to Fox News that there were a mere 271 total encounters across the entire southern border on Tuesday. They added that there were only 14 encounters in the Del Rio Sector, the area where Vance conducted his visit.
President Trump asserted a decrease in crossings during his address on Tuesday evening. Trump stated that within hours of taking the oath of office, I declared a national emergency on our southern border and I deployed the U.S. military and Border Patrol to repel the invasion of our country. And what a job they’ve done. As a result, illegal border crossings last month were by far the lowest ever recorded, ever. They heard my words, and they chose not to come.
The administration’s actions are celebrated by many. They claim that the United States should not be required to support all of the people from other countries that want to live in the US. Some claim that the influx of immigrants is harmful to the economy and decreases the safety of US citizens.
The impact on the population of the United States is also mentioned. There are not many cities that are able to accommodate a large influx of immigrants to the city. Schools, healthcare, and housing are often overloaded when this happens.
