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2025 Border Crossings Plunge to Record Lows as Trump Policies Reshape Enforcement

Officials credit the end of catch‑and‑release for the steep drop in crossings.

Overview

  • CBP figures cited by DHS show December ended with roughly 6,400 southwest apprehensions and a 2025 total near 109,000, while separate CBP data put the count at 117,105 through November.
  • Border Patrol reported seven straight months with zero releases of migrants who crossed illegally as daily encounters averaged about 245.
  • DHS says more than 600,000 people were formally deported in 2025 and about 1.9 million self‑deported, with countries such as Venezuela taking U.S. removal flights.
  • Interior enforcement intensified, with ICE regularly surpassing 2,000 arrests per day toward a 3,000‑a‑day goal and running targeted operations in Chicago, Minneapolis and the Los Angeles region.
  • CBP detailed rapid physical and personnel measures, including over $5 billion in new border‑wall contracts, about 130,000 feet of temporary barriers, regulatory waivers to speed construction and significant hiring increases.