Significant Drop in Gotaway Migrants at Southern Border During Current Administration

Significant Drop in Gotaway Migrants at Southern Border During Current Administration

FIRST ON FOX The average daily number of known gotaways illegal migrants who entered the U.S. without being apprehended at the southern border has dramatically decreased. The current average sits at just 132 individuals per day, a staggering 93% drop from the highs observed during the Biden administration, according to senior sources within the Department of Homeland Security DHS.

In the fiscal year 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection CBP reported an alarming total of 670,674 known gotaways. This represents an average of over 1,800 known gotaways each day. These figures contrast sharply with current data, highlighting the effectiveness of newly implemented border security measures.

When President Donald Trump assumed office on January 20, he prioritized the security of the southern border, which significantly contributed to the massive reduction in the daily migrant gotaway rate. This term refers to individuals who are detected via cameras, sensors, or other surveillance methods but evade capture by border patrol agents. Although CBP regularly tracks these numbers, they are seldom disclosed to the public.

Strong Policies Yield Strong Results A senior DHS official stated, “Delivering consequences has results. Illegal crossings are down, gotaways are down. Criminal prosecutions are on the rise.” Reports indicate a trend of migrants in Mexico and Guatemala turning around, coming forward to authorities, and seeking to return home. The DHS emphasizes the importance of decisive policy in addressing these immigration challenges.

Policy changes introduced early in Trump’s administration had immediate effects. By the second week in office, the White House implemented tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, resulting in a notable decrease in border crossings. Additional impacts included the suspension of diversity, equity, and inclusion DEI programs and a shift in the federal workforce dynamics, compelling employees to either return to the office or resign.

Record Reduction in Migrant Arrivals By February 1, reports revealed a remarkable 63% decline in the number of migrants arriving at the southern border. The early days of the Trump administration recorded 7,287 migrant encounters from January 20 to January 26, averaging 1,041 encounters daily. This statistical backdrop makes the subsequent figures during Biden’s presidency alarming.

In stark comparison, the final week of Biden’s term, from January 13 to January 19, recorded 20,086 encounters each day. This indicates a massive shift in the dynamics of illegal migration occurring within just a few months.

Tom Homan, the former border czar, emphasized the Trump administration’s responses during its initial weeks, where they reportedly removed and deported over 7,300 illegal immigrants to various countries, including Mexico, Jordan, Brazil, and El Salvador.

This drastic shift in border crossings and the reduction in known gotaways points to the effectiveness of strict immigration policies and enforcement strategies currently in place. While challenges around immigration reform remain, the immediate effects of recent strategies are evident in the data.

As the situation develops, the maintenance of these strategic policies will likely play a crucial role in shaping the future landscape of immigration and border security in the United States.

Fox News Digital’s Brooke Singman contributed to this report.