In a stunning turn of events, the number of unauthorized immigrants crossing into the United States via the southern border has plummeted by an astonishing 94% since this time last year. According to the Border Patrol’s chief, Mike Banks, this drastic drop is directly attributed to the Trump administration’s multifaceted crackdown on immigration.
Banks credits President Trump’s executive orders for effectively closing the U.S. asylum system and allowing for swift deportations, as well as the cancellation of policies put in place by the Biden administration that allowed certain migrants to enter the country with government permission. The deployment of additional troops along the southern border and the deputization of Texas National Guard soldiers as immigration officers have also significantly contributed to this decline.
The result has been a virtual halt in the release of migrants into U.S. interior, serving as a powerful deterrent to those considering crossing without authorization. Since Trump’s inauguration, only two individuals who crossed the border unlawfully have been released from Border Patrol custody, with both cases involving their assistance with criminal prosecutions as witnesses.
When asked about asylum options for migrants at the southern border, Banks made it clear that crossing between official entry points is not a viable means of making an asylum claim. Instead, prospective asylum-seekers can go to designated ports of entry or seek refuge through diplomatic channels in their home countries.
The Trump-era policies have had a profound impact on immigration patterns along the U.S.-Mexico border, with unauthorized crossings decreasing by 94% from last year’s figures. This dramatic reduction underscores the effectiveness of targeted immigration enforcement strategies and serves as a testament to the deterrent power of swift and decisive action against unauthorized entry into the United States.
Source: CBS News
