Migrants crossing into the United States from the southern border have dramatically decreased, revealing a striking contrast between the administration of President Joe Biden and the policies enacted under former President Donald Trump. A recent Pew Research report indicates Border Patrol encounters dropped to 237,538 during the 2025 fiscal year, a significant decline compared to previous years marked by consecutive record highs under Biden’s term. In fiscal year 2024 alone, Border Patrol recorded 1.5 million encounters, while fiscal year 2023 topped 2 million, and 2022 hit over 2.2 million. The analysis shows levels not seen in over five decades, emphasizing the depth of this issue.
When removing the months of the Biden administration from the data, the difference is even more pronounced. Since February 2025, Border Patrol has reported fewer than 10,000 encounters per month along the southwestern border—numbers that surpass even the lows experienced during the COVID pandemic years and the recorded history of the past quarter-century. For instance, September 2025 witnessed just 8,386 encounters, which is an 84 percent decrease compared to September 2024.
Chairman Andrew Garbarino of the House Homeland Security Committee attributed these results to Trump’s reliable border security measures, stating, “Southwest border apprehensions are at the lowest level in half a century, and criminal cartels are running out of ways to line their pockets at our expense.” He pointed to investments made by House Republicans in the border barrier and resources as a crucial part of reversing the damaging trends seen under Biden. “We must continue to build on these border security successes,” he emphasized, indicating a commitment to enhancing future protections against immigration system abuse.
Furthermore, the impact of Trump’s policies extends beyond mere statistics. The effectiveness of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers has improved, making them better poised to combat drug smuggling and other criminal activities. One recent incident highlighted this success: CBP officers discovered a secret trapdoor in a vehicle during a secondary inspection, seizing over 24 pounds of cocaine and a sum of cash. Such enforcement actions underline the role of improved border security measures in making communities safer.
As these shifts take place, other officials have echoed similar sentiments regarding the significance of stricter immigration policies. Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement Chairman Michael Guest remarked, “For the last five months, we have continued to see the border numbers drop to historic lows. We are enabling our men and women of the CBP to do their jobs and keep our border secured.” His remarks underscore the belief that these new measures are empowering enforcement personnel and restoring order.
Subcommittee Chairman August Pfluger also weighed in, noting the contrast with the Biden administration’s border policies. “After four years of the Biden-Harris Administration’s disastrous open-border agenda… the American people are finally seeing a return to law and order at our southern border,” he commented, linking the reduction in border encounters directly to the leadership and policies of Trump’s administration.
This analysis presents a clear picture: the strategies applied during Trump’s presidency have led to unprecedented low migrant encounters at the southern border. The current statistics not only paint a stark contrast to previous years but also suggest that focused enforcement and resource allocation may be key components in managing immigration and ensuring border security moving forward.
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