Former President Donald J. Trump and Texas Governor are pushing for a secure border, while President Biden and Mexico have contributed to a period of relative calm along the border. The number of unauthorized border crossings has been a major focus in the 2024 presidential campaign.
While Trump and Governor Abbott have been highlighting the increasing number of migrant encounters under President Biden, recent data shows a different trend. The number of apprehensions of migrants in June was 83,000, a significant decrease from 117,000 in May. This marks the lowest monthly total since January 2021, and a sharp drop from the record high of 250,000 in December of the previous year.
The decline in border crossings has continued into July, with a daily average of under 1,900 encounters reported last week. If this trend continues, there could be around 60,000 crossings in July, similar to the numbers seen at the end of the Trump administration.
President Biden’s new policies, along with efforts from Mexico, have contributed to the decrease in border crossings. Most migrants surrender to the U.S. Border Patrol after crossing into the country unlawfully and are then apprehended by agents. In fiscal year 2023, over 2.4 million individuals were encountered by border authorities, setting a record.
The situation at the border is evolving, with a noticeable decrease in unauthorized crossings in recent months. The current figures suggest a shift from the peak numbers seen in previous years. It remains to be seen how this trend will continue and what impact it will have on the broader immigration debate in the United States.
