Vance heads to southern border in Texas as Trump admin claims victory
Vice President JD Vance is set to visit the southern border on Wednesday, following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a significant decrease in border crossings. The visit will take place in Eagle Pass, Texas, a hotspot for illegal border crossings during the height of the Biden-era border crisis. Vance will be accompanied by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.
Trump had made illegal immigration a central focus of his 2024 campaign, implementing various measures to address the issue. On his first day in office, he signed executive orders declaring a national emergency at the border, deploying the military, resuming border wall construction, and ending Biden’s parole policies. The Pentagon swiftly deployed troops and opened up Guantánamo Bay to migrant flights, while the Department of Homeland Security increased interior enforcement efforts and expedited removals.
The current administration has embarked on a massive interior enforcement operation, resulting in daily arrests exceeding 1,000. Despite the substantial progress, officials aim to further increase these numbers. Interior arrests have surged compared to the Biden era, with a notable decrease in border encounters. In February, there were only 8,326 border encounters, a significant drop from the 189,913 recorded in February 2024. Over 55,000 illegal immigrants have been removed from the country thus far.
During his speech to Congress, Trump highlighted these achievements and emphasized the importance of strong border security measures. He attributed the decrease in illegal border crossings to the administration’s swift actions. Trump also ridiculed claims by Democrats and the Biden administration that legislative reforms were necessary to address the crisis, stating that a change in leadership was all that was needed.
Border Patrol sources reported a mere 271 total encounters across the southern border on Tuesday, with only 14 in the Del Rio Sector where Vance is scheduled to visit. The administration’s robust efforts have yielded promising results in curbing illegal immigration and enhancing border security.
In conclusion, Vice President JD Vance’s visit to the southern border underscores the administration’s commitment to addressing illegal immigration and bolstering national security. The significant progress made in reducing border crossings and enhancing interior enforcement reflects the administration’s proactive approach to tackling this critical issue.
Adam Shaw is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, specializing in immigration and border security coverage. For inquiries, contact adam.shaw2@fox.com or follow him on Twitter.
