Texas border sheriff says illegal crossings have seen ‘dramatic decline’

Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland of Terrell County, Texas, which shares 54 miles of the U.S. southern border with Mexico, has reported a significant decrease in illegal migrant crossings since President Donald Trump took office. In the last two weeks, there has been a sharp decline in activity, even during a time when crossings are typically higher due to the full moon cycle.

According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), April year-over-year apprehensions at the border were down 93% under Trump, with only 8,383 apprehensions reported compared to 129,000 in April 2024 under the Biden administration. Sheriff Cleveland attributes this decline to the strong leadership of President Trump, who implemented effective measures such as the Remain in Mexico policy, third-state country agreements, ending catch and release, and continuing to build border barriers.

Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, also weighed in on the situation, stating that the U.S. border is now the most secure in the nation’s history. He credited the success to the implementation of Trump’s policies that proved to be effective in deterring illegal crossings.

The decrease in illegal crossings has also led to the closure of a San Diego immigrant center due to the unprecedented drop in numbers this year. The U.S. Border Patrol San Diego Sector reported a 186% decrease in arrests compared to the previous year, leading to discussions about potential closures of additional facilities if the trend continues.

Sheriff Cleveland emphasized the importance of reallocating resources to areas with higher border activity, stating that there is no need to keep south side facilities open if there are fewer crossings. As the situation continues to evolve, law enforcement agencies are adapting their strategies to address the changing landscape of illegal immigration.

Overall, the efforts to secure the border and deter illegal crossings have shown promising results in recent weeks. With the support of strong leadership and effective policies, law enforcement officials are hopeful that they can continue to maintain border security and protect their communities from the challenges posed by illegal immigration.