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2mo ago

U.S. Border Crossings Drop to Lowest Levels in Decades Under Trump Policies

February saw a record low in migrant apprehensions, though experts note pre-existing trends also contributed to the decline.

People look out from a hotel where migrants from Asia and the Middle East are housed after being deported to Panama as part of an agreement between the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and the Central American nation, in Panama City, Panama February 18, 2025.
Border patrol agents prepare to board boats to patrol along the Rio Grande at the U.S.-Texas border. The U.S. Border Patrol recorded just 8,326 Southwest border encounters in February, lowest for a month in history. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Data: U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Chart: Axios Visuals

Overview

  • U.S. Border Patrol reported 8,300 migrant apprehensions in February 2025, the lowest monthly total since records began in 2000.
  • This marks a significant drop from 141,000 apprehensions in February 2024 and 29,000 in January 2025, attributed in part to Trump's immigration crackdown.
  • Trump's policies include a broad asylum ban, increased military presence at the border, and expanded deportation agreements with Central American countries.
  • Experts highlight that the decline in crossings began during the Biden administration, with Mexico's enforcement efforts playing a key role.
  • Legal challenges to Trump's policies and questions about their sustainability leave uncertainty about future migration trends.