Recent data released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows a notable decrease in arrests for illegal border crossings from Mexico into the United States during the month of April. The number of migrants apprehended dropped by over 6% compared to the previous month, marking the fourth lowest month of the Biden administration.
This decline has been attributed to increased enforcement efforts in Mexico, particularly in areas where migrants commonly board freight trains. Mexican authorities have imposed restrictions to limit daily illegal crossings to no more than 4,000 individuals, a significant reduction from the peak of over 10,000 Border Patrol arrests per day in December.
In April, a total of 128,884 migrants were arrested, down from 137,480 in March and significantly lower than the record high of 249,737 in December. While the numbers remain historically high, the sharp decrease since late last year is seen as positive news for President Joe Biden, who has faced challenges on immigration issues.
San Diego emerged as the busiest sector along the Mexican border for the first time in decades, surpassing Tucson, Arizona, with 37,370 arrests. Customs and Border Protection officials credit the drop in border crossings to enhanced enforcement measures, including increased deportations and improved cooperation with other countries.
Authorities have also introduced new entry procedures, such as an online appointment app called CBP One, which facilitated the entry of 41,400 individuals in April and over 591,000 since its launch in January 2023. Additionally, the U.S. has allowed thousands of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans to enter the country through online applications and commercial flights, with a total of 435,000 arrivals by April.
Customs and Border Protection's acting commissioner emphasized the importance of continued vigilance to address evolving migration patterns and maintain border security in the face of ongoing challenges.
