Vance Visits Border as Illegal Crossings Drop to Historic Lows; Trump Reshapes Immigration Policy
Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard are set to visit the U.S. southern border on Wednesday as illegal border crossings reach their lowest levels in decades.
The visit underscores the Trump administration’s aggressive approach to border security, utilizing a “whole of government” strategy to curb illegal immigration and accelerate deportation efforts.
According to reports, the officials will tour a federal immigration facility in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Record-Low Border Crossings Under Trump’s Leadership
During Trump’s first month back in office, illegal border crossings have plummeted to levels not seen since the 1960s.
Recent Border Patrol data reveals that an average of 359 migrants are processed daily at the southern border—marking a dramatic 90% decrease compared to the same period last year under the Biden administration.
Previously, Eagle Pass was a hotspot for immigration challenges, particularly after Texas law enforcement took control of a park that had been used to process and release migrants.
Now, with stringent enforcement in place, crossings have declined significantly.
Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Gains Momentum
The Trump administration has pledged full support for mass deportation efforts, leveraging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Defense (DOD), and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to enforce immigration laws more strictly than in recent history.
“In just 30 days, the president sealed the border, designated cartels as terrorist organizations, increased ICE deportations to levels not seen in decades, and we are on the verge of reaching an unprecedented pace of removals,” White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller stated.
According to internal data obtained by Axios, February saw illegal border crossings drop to their lowest levels in decades, coinciding with Trump’s policy shifts and strong rhetoric on immigration.
Sharp Decline in Migrant Encounters
In February, Border Patrol agents apprehended approximately 8,300 individuals attempting to cross illegally between ports of entry.
This follows a downward trend seen in January, when Border Patrol recorded 29,100 encounters—significantly lower than the 47,300 in December.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data confirms that February’s numbers are the lowest since official monthly records began in 2000.
By comparison, February 2023 and 2024 saw roughly 130,000 encounters, highlighting a substantial reduction under the new administration’s policies.
Policy Shifts and International Implications
Experts suggest that multiple factors have contributed to the decrease in crossings, including changes initiated even before Trump’s return to office.
However, the administration has reinforced its crackdown through immediate actions, such as shutting down the CBP One app, which previously facilitated legal crossings, and utilizing military planes for deportations.
Thousands of migrants stranded in Mexico were affected when the CBP One mobile app was disabled, as their asylum screening appointments were canceled.
Migration Policy Institute analyst Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh noted that prior to this, many individuals had been waiting in Mexico for their scheduled asylum interviews, which had previously provided access to humanitarian protection.
With Mexico playing a crucial role in controlling migration, experts warn that ongoing trade disputes and diplomatic tensions could impact future immigration enforcement strategies.
As the Trump administration continues to push for strict border policies, the long-term effects on cross-border relations remain to be seen.
