Tom Homan Highlights Significant Drop in Illegal Immigrant Crossings Under Trump Administration

Tom Homan Highlights Significant Drop in Illegal Immigrant Crossings Under Trump Administration

Tom Homan, the former border czar during President Trump’s administration, is celebrating a noteworthy decline in illegal immigrant encounters at the southern border compared to those during President Biden’s term. Homan recently shared his insights via social media, emphasizing the positive momentum under the Trump administration’s policies.

According to Homan, the Border Patrol reported a mere 229 illegal entries across the entire southwest border. This figure starkly contrasts with the record high of over 11,000 daily encounters recorded under the Biden administration. Homan, who started his career as a Border Patrol agent in 1984, stated, “I don’t remember the numbers ever being that low.”

Trump’s Promises and Actions in Border Security

Homan attributed these successful numbers to President Trump’s commitment to securing the border. He stated, “President Trump promised a secure border and he is delivering.” This assertion reflects Trump’s aggressive border policy agenda, which aimed to tackle illegal immigration through various means.

The Trump administration initiated a broad mass deportation campaign while enhancing border security measures. One of the first actions taken by Trump was to sign an executive order that recommenced border wall construction, a cornerstone of his immigration strategy. Additionally, the administration implemented restrictions on asylum claims, declared a national emergency concerning border security, and discontinued certain Biden-era programs that allowed for parole.

Expanded Enforcement Measures Under Trump

Significantly, the Trump administration expanded expedited removal processes. They also removed previous limitations on ICE operations in what were deemed “sensitive places,” which meant ICE agents could operate in areas like schools and hospitals without restrictions. This shift led to increased enforcement actions and widespread raids across the nation. Furthermore, the administration initiated legal actions against jurisdictions labeled as sanctuary cities that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Surge in Arrests of Illegal Immigrants

A report published by Fox News Digital last week indicated a dramatic rise in arrests of illegal immigrants. Data from the Department of Homeland Security revealed that from January 20 to February 8, the number of interior ICE arrests surged to 11,791. In comparison, there were only 4,969 arrests during the same time frame in 2024, marking a staggering increase of 137 percent.

Additionally, arrests of individuals with criminal backgrounds saw a significant uptick. Specifically, the number nearly doubled from 4,526 in the same timeframe in 2024 to 8,993 under the Trump administration this year. Furthermore, arrests of fugitive aliens rose from 2,164 to 5,538, representing a 156 percent increase. The trend of detaining criminal aliens in local jails also increased by 59 percent.

Sharp Decline in Illegal Migrants Who Evade Capture

Another aspect of the enforcement highlights the decline in known illegal migrants, often referred to as “gotaways,” who successfully entered the United States without being apprehended. The average daily number of gotaways at the southern border since early February has drastically reduced to just 132, a sharp 93 percent decrease from the peak levels seen during President Biden’s administration.

Future Enforcement Goals and Challenges

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