Recent data released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection revealed a significant 39% decrease in arrests for illegal border crossings from Mexico in January compared to the previous month. The Border Patrol reported 21,593 arrests during the month, marking the lowest figure since May 2020.
The decline in border arrests has been attributed to President Donald Trump's immigration policies, with the White House dubbing it the 'Trump Effect.' The trend of decreasing arrests began before Trump's presidency, with numbers dropping from a peak of 250,000 in December 2023.
Factors contributing to the decrease in border crossings include heightened enforcement efforts by Mexican authorities within their own borders and asylum restrictions introduced by then-President Joe Biden in June. Trump's inauguration in January further accelerated the decline, with the issuance of various immigration-related orders, including the suspension of asylum due to the perceived 'invasion' at the southern border.
Border enforcement officials have expressed their commitment to achieving operational control of the border, aiming to apprehend all individuals crossing illegally. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks emphasized the goal of securing the border to prevent any unauthorized entries.
In a bid to deter illegal immigration, the Department of Homeland Security launched a comprehensive video ad campaign featuring Secretary Kristi Noem warning individuals against entering the country unlawfully. The campaign emphasizes the consequences of illegal presence, stating that those found in violation of immigration laws will be deported with no possibility of return.
