The Border Patrol has made fewer than 1,800 apprehensions per day over the past week, a major decline following the implementation of new asylum restrictions that significantly cut humanitarian protections for those who cross the border illegally.
Migrant encounters along the southern border are down 55% since the restrictions took effect seven weeks ago, according to new data from the Department of Homeland Security.
The Border Patrol made 83,536 apprehensions in June, the lowest number since Biden took office in Jan. 2021.
DHS officials credit a dual-track approach that balances increased enforcement measures along with the expansion of new options for legal migration. The measures, announced at the beginning of last month, all but banned asylum for those who crossed into the U.S. illegally. Meanwhile, at U.S. ports of entry, the administration continues to admit a limited number of pre-screened migrants for asylum processing.
“So it’s the kind of culmination of a yearslong effort to build up both of those things, and I think that we are really seeing that pay dividends,” one senior Customs and Border Protection Official said.
“We’ve been kind of building up both enforcement at the border and access to lawful pathways since, since we started here,” the official added.
Migrants, mostly from Central America and Venezuela, walk towards the United States on the outskirts of Tuzantan, Chiapas State, Mexico, on July 24, 2024. Hundreds of migrants, mostly from Venezuela and Central America, continued their journey to the United States on foot from a city in southern Mexico, appealing for permits that would allow them to travel freely to the border. (Photo by Isaac Guzman / AFP) (Photo by ISAAC GUZMAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Isaac Guzman/AFP via Getty Images
The official said the White House has been directly involved in this effort, including Vice President Kamala Harris herself, to craft the strategy that has brought illegal border crossings down dramatically.
“I think we’ve, we’ve got some real positive impacts here, and we’re also continuing to work to maximize them, and to double down on these efforts, both ourselves and in coordination with our foreign partners, to not only maximize enforcement at our border, but to disrupt the way that people are moving up and getting to our border.
DHS continues to engage in an aggressive deportation effort, removing or voluntarily returning 65,000 individuals to more than 125 countries, with more than 200 international repatriation flights in recent weeks, according to DHS. The number of people released into the U.S. pending deportation proceedings has declined by 70% , officials say.
The San Diego region continues to see the highest level of migrant encounters compared to other border regions, but those numbers have reduced by 60% in recent weeks, according to a senior CBP official.
“So we’re really now, just now, starting to see the full impact out there,” the official told ABC News. “And I think that’s definitely an indication of success, and also something that we continue to work to even see if we can achieve further results.”
The United States has seen a significant decrease in migrant apprehensions in recent years, indicating a continued trend of fewer individuals attempting to cross the border illegally. This decline in apprehensions is a positive development that can be attributed to a variety of factors, including increased border security measures, changes in immigration policies, and economic conditions in both the United States and countries of origin.
According to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the number of migrant apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border has been steadily decreasing since 2019. In fiscal year 2021, CBP reported a total of 1.3 million apprehensions, a 55% decrease from the previous year. This downward trend is a stark contrast to the surge in migrant apprehensions that occurred in 2019, when CBP recorded over 1.1 million apprehensions, the highest number in over a decade.
One of the key factors contributing to the decrease in migrant apprehensions is the implementation of stricter border security measures by the U.S. government. The Trump administration implemented policies such as the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) and the Title 42 public health order, which required asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while their cases were processed and allowed for the expulsion of migrants at the border due to public health concerns, respectively. These policies were aimed at deterring migrants from attempting to cross the border illegally and have been continued by the Biden administration.
In addition to increased border security measures, changes in immigration policies have also played a role in reducing migrant apprehensions. The Biden administration has taken steps to address the root causes of migration by investing in Central American countries and expanding legal pathways for migrants to enter the United States. These efforts have helped to alleviate some of the economic and social pressures that drive individuals to migrate in search of better opportunities.
Furthermore, economic conditions in both the United States and countries of origin have also influenced the decrease in migrant apprehensions. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on global economies, leading to job losses and economic instability in many countries. As a result, fewer individuals may be inclined to undertake the dangerous journey to the United States in search of work or better living conditions.
Overall, the decrease in migrant apprehensions in the United States is a positive sign that efforts to address illegal immigration are having an impact. However, it is important for policymakers to continue working towards comprehensive immigration reform that addresses the underlying causes of migration and provides a pathway to legal status for those already living in the United States. By addressing these issues, we can create a more humane and effective immigration system that benefits both migrants and the country as a whole.
