National News

“The Trump Effect?”: Border Crackdown Delivers Historic Low in Illegal Crossings as Enforcement Surges Nationwide

Illegal border crossings hit historic lows in June 2025 under President Trump’s tough immigration policies, with just 6,070 apprehensions at the southern border. 

In a remarkable reversal from the chaotic Biden-era border crisis, illegal crossings at America’s southern border have plunged to their lowest levels in decades, reflecting radical border policy changes and no-nonsense immigration enforcement policies of President Donald Trump.

According to new data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), June 2025 saw just 25,243 total encounters nationwide—the lowest monthly number ever recorded by the agency. Even more striking, only 6,070 apprehensions occurred at the Southwest border, down 15% from the previous low in March. On June 28, Border Patrol apprehended just 137 individuals—a single-day record low.

Trump’s return to the White House restored order to a border system that had been stretched to its limits. During the Biden administration, illegal crossings regularly exceeded 6,000 per day and at times even topped 10,000. Under Trump, those numbers have plummeted to under 6,100 per month. Trump border czar Tom Homan is calling it “The Trump Effect and has described the shift as unprecedented, noting that none of the migrants apprehended in June were released into the U.S. In contrast, under Biden, tens of thousands of migrants were routinely released with court dates, many of whom simply disappeared into the interior. June 2025 also saw zero parole releases, compared to 27,766 just a year earlier.

The administration has also scored significant wins in the fight against drug trafficking. CBP reported a 102% increase in meth seizures, 19% more heroin, and a 9% uptick in cocaine interceptions compared to May—clear evidence that with fewer migrants flooding the system, law enforcement can now focus more resources on stopping deadly narcotics.

At the same time, Trump’s bold economic policies are paying dividends. According to Fox News, in June alone, CBP collected a staggering $108.9 billion in tariffs, taxes, and fees—much of it driven by the president’s aggressive trade stance, another cornerstone of his America First agenda.

In places like Yuma, Arizona—where local hospitals and services were previously overwhelmed by surging migrant numbers—residents are finally getting a reprieve. Yuma Mayor Douglas Nicholls called the change “peaceful,” underscoring the real-world impact of Trump’s renewed border policies.

In Texas, one border town said they noticed a “continued decline in apprehensions” earlier this year when asked about illegal border crossings. Terrell County Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland’s comments came on the heels of an immigrant detention center in San Diego closing as a result of the drop in crossings and apprehensions. Cleveland predicted more facilities could shutter if numbers continue to drop.

The administration’s tough stance continues to trigger outrage from the far left. Democrat-led cities have complained about increased ICE arrests and “masked agents,” conveniently ignoring the fact that immigration laws are finally being enforced. Proposals like the VISIBLE Act, designed to undermine ICE agents’ ability to operate effectively, are more about political posturing than public safety.

Homan also recently called for ICE to “flood the zone” in sanctuary cities like New York, after an off-duty CBP agent was shot in the Big Apple. New York Mayor Eric Adams said he was “outraged” by the shooting and criticized Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for blaming Adams for the shooting, saying “I have nothing to do with the rules that are in place. I just carry out the rules.”