President Trump reports illegal immigrant encounters at historic lows during first full month in office
President Donald Trump took to social media on Saturday afternoon to announce a significant milestone in his administration’s efforts to secure the U.S. southern border. Trump proudly declared, “The Invasion of our Country is OVER,” after the first full month in office saw a record-setting low of only 8,326 apprehensions of illegal immigrants by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP).
In a post on Truth Social, Trump highlighted the success of his administration in curbing illegal immigration at the southern border. He mentioned that all apprehended illegal immigrants were either “quickly ejected from our Nation or, when necessary, prosecuted for crimes against the United States of America.”
The numbers from Trump’s first full month in office represent a remarkable 96% drop from the highs seen during the Biden administration in December 2023, when CBP reported a staggering 301,981 encounters at the southern border. This significant decrease in apprehensions demonstrates the effectiveness of the Trump administration’s border policies.
During fiscal year 2024, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported 271,484 removals, while the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported approximately 700,000 removals and returns, marking the highest numbers since 2010.
Under the Biden administration, there were instances where single days saw nearly 10,000 illegal immigrants apprehended, surpassing the total monthly apprehensions under the new administration. Trump credited his administration’s tough stance on illegal immigration for closing the border to unauthorized entries.
The Trump administration’s achievements in border security were largely driven by executive actions and a firm stance against illegal immigration. Trump signed executive orders declaring a national emergency at the border, deploying the U.S. military to address the surge, ending birthright citizenship, suspending refugee admissions, and resuming border wall construction.
Furthermore, the DHS overturned ICE restrictions imposed by the Biden administration, enabling law enforcement to conduct expedited removals and review parole statuses of migrants. The Pentagon deployed troops to the southern border and utilized Guantánamo Bay to manage the influx of migrants.
High-profile raids in sanctuary cities resulted in significant arrests, including violent criminals and gang members. Financial benefits were also realized as tens of millions of dollars were reclaimed from New York City earmarked for housing migrants.
A recent directive mandated federal agencies to identify programs providing financial benefits to illegal immigrants and take corrective action to prevent federal funds from supporting sanctuary policies or aiding illegal immigration.
Overall, the Trump administration’s stringent border policies have yielded positive results, leading to a significant decrease in illegal immigration and enhancing national security. The president’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws and safeguarding the border has proven effective in addressing the challenges posed by unauthorized entries.
