The Trump administration's Border Patrol Chief said crossings have plummeted by over 90% compared to the same period of last year, claiming it is largely as a result of the president's recent actions aimed at cracking down on immigration.
Speaking to CBS News, Banks said agents have apprehended fewer than 300 migrants per day in average over the past week, compared to 4,800 during the same time last year. Banks also said the deployment of troops on both the American and Mexican sides of the border contributed to the decline, helping deter people from attempting to cross.
"The greater the punishment, the larger the deterrent," Banks claimed. He went on to say that "anyone that has crossed the border between the ports of entry since this administration has taken office has not been released."
Banks added that requesting asylum is not a possibility for those attempting to cross the border between ports of entry. "You can go to the port of entry, or you can go to one of the embassies in your country and make your claim for asylum," Banks said.
Different reports have described the scenes at the border, with The Washington post detailing that agents in the Del Rio sector and the nearby city of Eagle Pass have been apprehending fewer than 50 people per day since late January, a stark contrast to 2023, when as many as 5,000 migrants crossed the Rio Grande every day. At the national level, unlawful border crossings have dropped to levels last seen in 2019.
Asides from enforcement, local officials in Del Rio say they welcome the economic boost that comes with the influx of military personnel. However, questions remain about the need for their presence given the low amount of attempted crossings. "We're glad they're here enjoying our city," Del Rio Mayor Alvaro Arreola told the outlet. "Even if we haven't gotten any information about their actual mission."
However, an estimated 300,000 migrants are in Mexico waiting to see how U.S. policies unfold. Historically, surges in crossings have followed presidential transitions, and analysts note that policy changes often drive fluctuations more than seasonal weather patterns.
Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Dara Lind, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, said that decreases are not unusual after administration changes, as migrants take a "wait-and-see" approach during the first months to reassess policies implemented and then make a decision.
"Only after there's a little bit of time, people see what the policy is, people who make it over can report back on whether it was successful," Lind added, also warning that "smugglers can find new routes and then those numbers can rebound."
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