The Biden-era border crisis appears to be over. U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael W. Banks announced Sunday that illegal migrant encounters along the southern border hit an all-time low in February, marking a dramatic shift under President Trump’s immigration policies.
“February proved our combined efforts in securing the border WORK,” Banks declared in an X post. “USBP apprehended 8,326 illegal aliens at the U.S.-Mexico border, making it the lowest month in recorded history.”
That number represents a stunning 94% drop compared to the 140,641 illegal crossings recorded in February of last year under the Biden administration. Since December—Biden’s final full month in office—border encounters have plummeted by 82%.
So, what changed? Simple: the Trump administration wasted no time reversing Biden’s open-border policies and reinstating strict enforcement measures.
From Day One, President Trump made immigration enforcement a top priority. On January 20, as soon as he was sworn in, large-scale immigration raids targeting violent criminals and illegal aliens with criminal records began across the country. That enforcement, paired with executive orders dismantling Biden-era loopholes, has quickly reasserted control over the border.
Among the major changes:
- Reinstating “Remain in Mexico” – This policy requires asylum seekers to wait outside the U.S. while their claims are processed, ending the previous system that allowed them to enter and disappear into the interior.
- Shutting down the CBP One app – This controversial system under Biden allowed illegal migrants to schedule appointments for entry. Trump shut it down.
- Eliminating “Catch and Release” – Under Biden, hundreds of thousands of migrants were released into the U.S. with nothing but a court date. Under Trump, those who cross illegally are swiftly removed.
- Expedited deportations – Migrants caught at the border are now quickly sent back, rather than being processed into the asylum system.
The impact of these policies is already being felt nationwide. With illegal crossings down, numerous taxpayer-funded migrant shelters have shut down, many of which had been responsible for moving migrants into the interior U.S.
Chief Banks praised the administration’s approach, emphasizing that strict enforcement serves as a powerful deterrent. “The greater the punishment, the larger the deterrent,” he explained.
Perhaps most importantly, the message from this administration is crystal clear: “The border is closed to illegal immigration. Do not come.”
After years of chaos under Biden, it seems the southern border is finally under control again.