Dramatic Decline in Illegal Migration at the U.S.-Mexico Border Amid Policy Changes

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff   

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering the USA

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Image Source: Omar Ornelas

In a striking shift, the U.S.-Mexico border has witnessed a significant decrease in illegal migration, particularly in the El Paso Sector, where Border Patrol agent Claudio Herrera reports a drop from an average of 2,700 apprehensions per day to just 60-70. This decline is attributed to a combination of stringent policies implemented during the Trump administration, including military deployment, asylum restrictions, and heightened enforcement measures.

On a typical weekday morning in mid-May, Herrera patrolled the rocky hillsides of southern New Mexico, an area once bustling with migrant activity. Instead of the usual influx of individuals attempting to cross the border, only two U.S. soldiers were present, monitoring the landscape littered with remnants of past migration attempts water bottles and discarded clothing.

The El Paso Sector, which spans 264 miles from West Texas through New Mexico, has transformed from one of the busiest sections of the border to a relatively quiet zone. Herrera recalled the chaos of two years ago when groups of migrants would scale the 30-foot steel border fence or crawl through gaps in the fencing. Now, the landscape is marked by silence, with agents joking about the boredom stemming from the lack of activity.

The military presence at the border has increased significantly, with 6,800 soldiers now working alongside 17,000 Border Patrol agents. This deployment, which has cost approximately $525 million since Trump took office, has included high-tech surveillance vehicles capable of monitoring the desert terrain for miles.

The sharp decline in illegal crossings began in June 2024, following President Joe Biden's restrictions on asylum access. U.S. Border Patrol reported only 8,400 migrant encounters in April 2025, a stark contrast to the nearly 129,000 encounters recorded in April 2024. In the El Paso Sector, migrant encounters plummeted by 93%, from over 30,000 to under 2,000.

Despite the current lull in activity, Herrera cautioned that it is too early to determine the long-term effects of these policy changes. He emphasized the need for a balanced approach that combines infrastructure, technology, and personnel to effectively address the challenges of illegal immigration and other illicit activities at the border.

As the situation evolves, the impact on criminal organizations that profit from human smuggling remains significant. Herrera noted that the crackdown on illegal crossings has disrupted the multi-billion-dollar enterprise of cartels, affecting their operations daily.

While the border remains quieter than in previous years, the potential for shifts in migration patterns looms, as smugglers and migrants often adapt to changing policies. The future of illegal migration at the U.S.-Mexico border remains uncertain, with agents like Herrera on the front lines, navigating the complexities of enforcement and humanitarian concerns.