Trump's Border Crackdown Sends Crossings to Historic 40-Year Low

Paul Riverbank, 2/18/2025Trump's border policies drive migrant crossings to 40-year low, while interior enforcement intensifies dramatically.

This striking decline — down from peaks of 11,000 daily encounters during the Biden administration — comes as President Trump's border policies take full effect, prompting both celebration from enforcement officials and visible changes in border communities.

Tom Homan, serving as Trump's border czar, highlighted the significance of these numbers. "I started as a Border Patrol Agent in 1984 and I don't remember the numbers ever being that low," he stated on social media. "President Trump promised a secure border and he is delivering."

The impact of these policy changes is perhaps most visibly demonstrated in San Diego, where a prominent migrant shelter operated by the Jewish Family Service has announced its closure. The shelter, which had been a crucial waypoint for asylum seekers, has received no new arrivals since the Trump administration discontinued the CBP One phone app — a tool that had facilitated over 936,000 migrant appointments by the end of 2024.

While border crossings have decreased, enforcement actions within the U.S. have intensified significantly. Department of Homeland Security data reveals a 137% increase in interior ICE arrests between January 20 and February 8, compared to the same period last year. The numbers tell a compelling story: 11,791 arrests this year versus 4,969 in 2024.

Homan has taken a particularly firm stance on criminal migrants, stating, "At last count we had almost 600,000 illegal aliens in the United States with a criminal conviction. I won't be happy until we eradicate every one of those."

The enforcement surge has produced notable results, with arrests of migrants with criminal histories nearly doubling — a 98% increase compared to last year. Similarly, arrests of suspected gang members have risen by 105%, according to recent data.

These changes reflect a comprehensive shift in immigration enforcement strategy. The administration has expanded expedited removal procedures, removed restrictions on ICE operations in "sensitive places" and initiated nationwide enforcement operations while challenging sanctuary jurisdictions.

The number of "gotaways" — individuals who successfully enter the U.S. without apprehension — has also seen a dramatic decrease, falling 93% to just 132 per day since early February.

For organizations that previously provided migrant services, this new reality has forced operational changes. The San Diego shelter, which had received over $22 million in FEMA funding in 2024 alone, is now pivoting to provide legal services instead.

"We've been preparing for these changes in federal policies and enforcement," the organization stated, acknowledging the need to adapt to the new enforcement landscape. They are now focusing on "immigration legal assistance and other social service supports to vulnerable San Diegans."

These developments represent a significant departure from previous approaches to border management and immigration enforcement — marking what appears to be a new chapter in U.S. immigration policy and its implementation at both the border and within communities nationwide.

In a remarkable shift that signals a dramatic transformation in U.S. border dynamics, daily migrant encounters have plummeted to levels unseen in decades — with Border Patrol reporting just 229 encounters across the entire southwest border in a 24-hour period.This striking decline — down from peaks of 11,000 daily encounters during the Biden administration — comes as President Trump's border policies take full effect, prompting both celebration from enforcement officials and visible changes in border communities.Tom Homan, serving as Trump's border czar, highlighted the significance of these numbers. "I started as a Border Patrol Agent in 1984 and I don't remember the numbers ever being that low," he stated on social media. "President Trump promised a secure border and he is delivering."The impact of these policy changes is perhaps most visibly demonstrated in San Diego, where a prominent migrant shelter operated by the Jewish Family Service has announced its closure. The shelter, which had been a crucial waypoint for asylum seekers, has received no new arrivals since the Trump administration discontinued the CBP One phone app — a tool that had facilitated over 936,000 migrant appointments by the end of 2024.While border crossings have decreased, enforcement actions within the U.S. have intensified significantly. Department of Homeland Security data reveals a 137% increase in interior ICE arrests between January 20 and February 8, compared to the same period last year. The numbers tell a compelling story: 11,791 arrests this year versus 4,969 in 2024.Homan has taken a particularly firm stance on criminal migrants, stating, "At last count we had almost 600,000 illegal aliens in the United States with a criminal conviction. I won't be happy until we eradicate every one of those."The enforcement surge has produced notable results, with arrests of migrants with criminal histories nearly doubling — a 98% increase compared to last year. Similarly, arrests of suspected gang members have risen by 105%, according to recent data.These changes reflect a comprehensive shift in immigration enforcement strategy. The administration has expanded expedited removal procedures, removed restrictions on ICE operations in "sensitive places" and initiated nationwide enforcement operations while challenging sanctuary jurisdictions.The number of "gotaways" — individuals who successfully enter the U.S. without apprehension — has also seen a dramatic decrease, falling 93% to just 132 per day since early February.For organizations that previously provided migrant services, this new reality has forced operational changes. The San Diego shelter, which had received over $22 million in FEMA funding in 2024 alone, is now pivoting to provide legal services instead."We've been preparing for these changes in federal policies and enforcement," the organization stated, acknowledging the need to adapt to the new enforcement landscape. They are now focusing on "immigration legal assistance and other social service supports to vulnerable San Diegans."These developments represent a significant departure from previous approaches to border management and immigration enforcement — marking what appears to be a new chapter in U.S. immigration policy and its implementation at both the border and within communities nationwide.