President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that the southern border of the United States is now "the strongest and safest in the history of the country," referring to a new report from the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that shows a historic drop in illegal crossings.
"The southern border is now the strongest and safest in U.S. history. And it will remain that way!!!" wrote Trump on his social network Truth.
According to official figures from CBP, there were only 7,180 illegal crossings recorded at the southwest border in March, the lowest number on record, and well below the monthly average of 155,000 crossings over the past four years. Daily detentions decreased from about 5,100 during the Biden era to just 230 currently.
Pete Flores, interim commissioner of CBP, attributed this outcome to "bold and decisive actions" taken under the leadership of Trump and the current Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem. "The border is closed to illegal crossings. Those who attempt to breach it will be prosecuted and deported," he stated.
In addition, the CBP announced the signing of new contracts to expand the construction of the border wall and strengthen surveillance with military support, which has allowed them to achieve what they termed "operational control" of the border, a goal that was previously considered unattainable.
Tom Homan, border czar, stated that crossings have decreased by 96% thanks to the deployment of troops and new deterrent strategies. “We have secured the border,” he declared.
In an additional report, CBP reported that illegal crossings of Cuban migrants also plummeted in February, with only 150 entries recorded, compared to more than 6,300 in January and nearly 9,000 in December. The majority of Cubans entered through the border with Mexico (111), followed by Canada (12) and by sea.
Although there are slight discrepancies between the data provided by Trump and the officially reported figures, both agree that there has been a significant reduction in irregular migration, which the Republican administration presents as a strategic achievement in national security.
Frequently Asked Questions About Border Security in the U.S. Under the Trump Administration
How has security changed at the southern border of the U.S. under the Trump administration?
The Trump administration has implemented measures that have resulted in a drastic reduction of illegal crossings at the southern border. According to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP), illegal crossings plummeted to 7,180 in March, the lowest figure on record, thanks to bold and decisive actions, such as the deployment of troops and increased border surveillance.
What are the new deterrence strategies at the southern border of the U.S.?
The new deterrent strategies include the deployment of troops and the construction of a reinforced border wall. These measures, along with the signing of contracts to expand the wall and enhance surveillance with military support, have allowed for the achievement of "operational control" of the border, which the administration refers to as a success in national security.
What impact have Trump's policies had on Cuban migration to the U.S.?
Trump's policies have resulted in a significant decline in irregular crossings of Cubans. In February, only 150 Cubans migrated illegally to the U.S., compared to over 6,000 in previous months. This is partly due to the cancellation of humanitarian parole and the increase in restrictive measures at the border.
Why has irregular migration at the southwestern border of the U.S. drastically decreased?
The drastic reduction in irregular migration is attributed to the stricter border control policies implemented by the Trump administration. These include the cancellation of programs such as humanitarian parole, increased surveillance, and the construction of physical barriers, along with a clear message that the border is closed to illegal crossings.
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