Border Crossings Reach Record Lows Following Trump’s Policy Changes

Overview

• Daily encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border have dropped to historic lows, with only 200 apprehensions reported on February 22, the lowest in over 15 years.
• The Trump administration attributes the decline to new policies, including reinstating 'Remain in Mexico,' ending 'catch and release,' and deploying active-duty troops to the border.
• Analysts note that migration numbers were already decreasing in the months leading up to Trump’s inauguration, with a 40% drop in apprehensions between November 2024 and January 2025.
• The administration has also canceled the CBP One application, which previously facilitated asylum applications, and increased deportations, though deportation numbers remain below Biden-era averages.
• Critics and experts suggest that both anticipation of Trump’s policies and ongoing enforcement changes contributed to the significant decline in migration flows.