The number of migrants apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border has fallen to its lowest level in at least 25 years, according to preliminary government data obtained by CBS News. In February, Border Patrol recorded approximately 8,450 apprehensions, a figure not seen since at least the year 2000, and potentially as far back as the late 1960s.
This dramatic decline follows the Trump administration’s sweeping immigration enforcement measures, including the fast-tracking of deportations, the termination of asylum processing, and the deployment of thousands of military personnel to the border.
While the crackdown has yielded rapid results in reducing unauthorised crossings, the administration is encountering significant hurdles in deporting those already within the country.
Border Crossings Fall Amid Sweeping Policy Changes
The sharp decline in illegal border crossings coincides with the introduction of some of the most restrictive immigration measures in recent U.S. history. In February, apprehensions dropped by 70% compared to January, which itself had seen a 38% decrease from December, according to CBS News.
The Trump administration has framed this drop as evidence of the effectiveness of its zero-tolerance approach. Under new directives, Border Patrol agents have been empowered to swiftly deport migrants without asylum hearings, a policy justified by the administration’s claim that the country is facing an “invasion.”
These measures have reversed policies from the previous administration, including the termination of a government app that facilitated asylum-seeker appointments at official entry points.
Additionally, Trump has directed the U.S. military to play a larger role in immigration enforcement, sending thousands of troops to the southern border and using military aircraft to deport migrants. The administration is also considering reinstating Title 42, a public health provision that allows for the immediate expulsion of migrants on the basis of disease prevention.
Despite these aggressive actions, some factors contributing to the decline predate Trump’s return to office. Illegal crossings had already begun to decrease in early 2024, when Mexico expanded border control measures and the Biden administration imposed new asylum restrictions. However, since Trump’s inauguration, the pace of decline has accelerated significantly.
Deportation Plans Face Logistical and Legal Challenges
While border crossings have dropped sharply, the administration has struggled to meet its goal of mass deportations within the U.S. According to CBS News, Trump has promised the largest deportation operation in American history, but structural issues have slowed its implementation.
One key obstacle is detention capacity. As of early March, ICE detention centres were at 117% capacity, holding more than 45,000 migrants, including 20,000 apprehended at the border. The lack of space has made it difficult for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to ramp up deportations at the scale envisioned by the administration.
Additionally, internal disruptions within ICE have further complicated matters. In recent weeks, top officials overseeing deportation operations have been reassigned, reportedly due to frustrations over the slow progress of removals. Meanwhile, leaks of planned enforcement operations have hindered efforts to detain undocumented individuals already residing in the U.S.
Beyond enforcement, Trump has linked his immigration crackdown to broader economic policies. He has announced plans to impose new tariffs on Canada and Mexico, arguing that stronger action from U.S. trading partners is necessary to curb illegal migration and cross-border drug smuggling.
Despite its focus on restriction, the administration has also introduced a controversial immigration proposal—a plan to sell $5 million “gold card” visas to wealthy foreign investors who create jobs in the United States. The initiative marks a rare pro-immigration move amid the administration’s otherwise hardline approach.
