Illegal crossings at the US border fall to their lowest level in decades

The number of illegal immigrants crossing the southern border of the United States recorded a drastic reduction during the first months of 2025, a trend that continues three months after President Donald Trump implemented stricter immigration measures, according to data obtained by CBS News.

Initial reports indicate that the current detention figures are the lowest since the Border Patrol began publishing monthly data in fiscal year 2000. These statistics reflect a significant drop compared to the levels of illegal crossings observed in previous years, especially during the administration of former Democratic President Joe Biden, known for opening the country's borders.

Federal authorities, immigration experts, and local governments agree that the tightening of policies, along with the collaboration of other countries and changes in regional migration dynamics, have influenced this decrease.

Internal data from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reveal that the Border Patrol recorded approximately 8,400 detentions of immigrants who entered illegally from Mexico in April. This figure represents a slight increase compared to the 7,200 apprehensions recorded in March 2025.

The number of detainees in April was similar to that recorded in February, when 8,300 apprehensions were reported. CBS News highlighted that these levels are among the lowest since official monthly records began in fiscal year 2000.

According to the Border Patrol's historical records, the last time less than 9,000 monthly apprehensions were averaged was in the 1960s.

Meanwhile, during December 2023, under Joe Biden's presidency, record numbers of illegal crossings were reached, with a daily average of 8,000 apprehensions and peaks exceeding 10,000 undocumented immigrants processed in a single day.

Donald Trump's measures

Since taking office, Donald Trump's administration has implemented a set of immigration measures aimed at reducing illegal entry and strengthening border security. These actions include:

• Almost absolute restrictions on the asylum system.
• Implementation of rapid deportations, without the need for judicial hearings.
• Deployment of thousands of military personnel on the southern border for support and control functions.
• Elimination of programs implemented by the Biden administration that facilitated the entry of certain migrants.
• Expansion of the criteria allowing ICE to make arrests and deportations.

These policies, described by the White House as a direct response to what President Trump has called an “invasion,” aim to discourage potential illegal immigrants and increase the speed of deportation procedures.