President-elect Donald Trump criticized Mexico and Canada for allowing migrants to cross US borders, but federal data shows that the incoming administration will inherit a relatively quiet border. Trump expressed intentions to impose serious tariffs on Mexico and Canada to address the influx of migrants and drugs crossing into the US.
Contrary to Trump's assertions, recent data indicates a decline in migrant crossings along the US-Mexico border following executive actions taken by President Joe Biden last summer to tighten asylum policies. This trend has also been observed along the US northern border.
In November, US Border Patrol reported approximately 47,000 migrant apprehensions along the US southern border, marking a decrease compared to the numbers recorded when Trump's term ended in January 2021.
The Biden administration faced a surge in border crossings in recent years, prompting efforts to address the issue through policy changes. The decrease in crossings along the US-Mexico border suggests that these measures have had an impact on deterring unauthorized entries.
While Trump's focus on border security and immigration enforcement was a central theme of his presidency, the current data reflects a different landscape at the border. The incoming administration will need to navigate the evolving dynamics of border security and immigration policy to address ongoing challenges.
