March Border Crossing Figures Reveal Historic Low for U.S. Customs and Border Protection

March Border Crossing Figures Reveal Historic Low for U.S. Customs and Border Protection

The latest figures released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection indicate that March recorded the smallest number of border crossings in history, with only 7,180 encounters documented. This stark reduction highlights the ongoing shifts in immigration patterns at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Administration Takes Bold Steps to Secure the Border

Pete Flores, the acting commissioner of CBP, praised the leadership of President Trump and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem for enacting stringent measures aimed at restoring order at the border. Flores stated, “Under the current administration, border agents have unprecedented authority to prevent unlawful entry and safeguard American lives.” He continued to emphasize that the message is clear: illegal crossings will not be tolerated, and violators will face prosecution and deportation.

Dramatic Decrease in Crossings Compared to Previous Administrations

The March 2023 figures reflect a decrease of 1,146 crossings compared to February, demonstrating a significant decline from the monthly average of around 155,000 during the Biden administration. Previously, border agents reported daily crossings exceeding 7,000 under the former president.

CBP reported that daily apprehensions have fallen to approximately 230, a figure unprecedented in the United States. This decline showcases a dramatic shift in the current immigration landscape.

Previous Administration’s Statistics Highlight Rising Trends

During the Biden administration, an average of 5,100 encounters occurred each day, illustrating the stark contrast to the current statistics. The release of the final monthly figures is anticipated in the coming days, providing further context to the evolving situation at the border.

White House Praises Border Security Improvements

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed approval over the March crossing numbers, attributing much of the success to President Trump’s decisive leadership. She stated, “Thanks to the president’s guidance, border patrol agents are returning to their primary responsibility: securing the border as opposed to acting as facilitators for illegal migrants.”

Highlighting media reports, Leavitt noted a prominent article from the Los Angeles Times, which described the California-Mexico border as being nearly devoid of migrants. She reported that shelters that typically served incoming migrants have now completely closed.

Continued Efforts to Deport Illegal Migrants

Leavitt also noted that the deportation of illegal aliens posing a threat to public safety continues at an accelerated pace. The current administration’s focus on strict immigration enforcement remains central to its strategy.

Earlier this month, President Trump acknowledged that apprehensions in February were a record low at 8,326, indicating a substantial 96% decrease from the highs experienced during the Biden administration in December 2022.

A Comprehensive Approach to Immigration Policy

Following the recent statistics, Trump reaffirmed his stance, declaring that the U.S.-Mexico border is effectively closed. He vowed that all individuals crossing the southern border unlawfully would either be expelled or prosecuted immediately.

In addition to ramping up border enforcement, Trump has signed several executive orders. These measures include ending birthright citizenship, halting refugee admissions, suspending the use of a mobile app for refugee entry, and resuming construction on the border wall.

The Impact of a Hard-line Immigration Stance

Trump’s stringent approach toward illegal immigration has consistently featured as a focal point in his administration’s policies. Under the guidance of Secretary Noem and border czar Tom Homan, the administration has prioritized the arrest and deportation of criminal illegal immigrants throughout the nation.

As the U.S. navigates complex immigration challenges, these recent statistics underscore a momentous development in border control that reflects the current administration’s determined efforts to redefine immigration norms.

Looking Ahead

As authorities prepare for the release of final figures, attention must remain focused on how these numbers will shape the ongoing conversation regarding immigration policy and enforcement in the United States. The implications of March’s record lows may pave the way for future discussions about border security and comprehensive immigration reform.

Reporting contributed by Michael Dorgan and Brooke Taylor.