Illegal Border Crossings Drop to Record Lows Under Trump Administration

February saw the lowest number of illegal border apprehensions in decades, as new policies and enforcement measures reshape U.S. immigration strategy.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported 8,326 apprehensions at the southern border in February, the lowest monthly total in at least 25 years.
The Trump administration attributes the sharp decline to executive orders, enhanced border enforcement, and military deployments to secure the border.
The administration has ended Biden-era programs like humanitarian parole and resumed expedited deportations, while deploying thousands of troops to assist with enforcement.
Interior enforcement operations have intensified, with a 137% increase in ICE arrests during Trump’s first weeks compared to the same period in 2024.
Critics note that while border crossings have plummeted, legal and logistical challenges remain for implementing large-scale deportations and addressing detention capacity issues.