Washington, October 8(HS): Illegal entries across the US-Mexico border have fallen to their lowest level in more than half a century, according to new Department of Homeland Security data.In the 2025 fiscal year, US Border Patrol agents apprehended about 238,000 migrants crossing illegally — the fewest since 1970 when 202,000 arrests were recorded. The data covers four months under former President Joe Biden and the first eight months of President Donald Trump’s administration.
During that period, fewer than 9,000 illegal crossings occurred each month, marking a dramatic decline in border activity.White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said the decline reflected President Trump’s success in “delivering on his pledge to secure the border,” adding that “unvetted criminal illegal aliens and dangerous drugs are no longer pouring over our border unchecked.”
Immigration analysts said the figures underscore progress on enforcement but urged bipartisan cooperation for lasting reform. Jennie Murray, president of the National Immigration Forum, said both the White House and Congress “must continue working on comprehensive immigration legislation” to ensure long-term stability.
Since taking office in January, President Trump has issued multiple executive orders expanding border patrol deployment, curbing asylum requests, increasing Immigration and Customs Enforcement powers, and attempting to end birthright citizenship. His administration has also launched large-scale immigration raids in cities such as Los Angeles and Chicago and pledged to deport millions of undocumented immigrants.
Between October 2020 and January 2025, under the Biden administration, there were about 11 million encounters at the border, according to US Customs and Border Protection — a record high. The sharp reversal, analysts say, reflects both policy changes and intensified enforcement under Trump.The latest numbers signal a turning point in US immigration control, making 2025 the year with the fewest illegal crossings in over 50 years.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
