Illegal immigration has plummeted to levels not seen in decades, with fewer than 7,000 illegal crossings recorded at the southern border in March 2025—a staggering 94% decrease compared to the same month last year.
Homeland Security officials are crediting the dramatic drop to the Trump administration’s uncompromising approach to border enforcement, which has included criminal prosecutions, deportations, and military deployments along key corridors.
“This is what real border security looks like,” said one senior DHS source. “When people know there are consequences, they stop coming.”
The Trump Effect in Full Force
The drop in crossings began earlier this year and has continued to accelerate. In February 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported just over 8,000 apprehensions, marking the lowest monthly total in at least 25 years.
Officials say the fear of swift prosecution and jail time—now a consistent reality for those caught entering illegally—has been a powerful deterrent. Under previous administrations, illegal immigrants were often processed and released. That has changed dramatically.
“Under President Trump, we’ve replaced catch-and-release with arrest-and-deport,” a CBP agent in Texas said. “Word travels fast.”
Processing Centers Shut Down, Military Steps In
With the flow of illegal migrants nearly stopped, the administration has closed several temporary processing centers that were once overwhelmed during the Biden years. In their place, the Trump administration has deployed hundreds of troops and armored vehicles to strategic areas—particularly around Texas’ Big Bend National Park, a known hotspot for illegal crossings.
The military presence, combined with surveillance drones and rapid-response teams, has reinforced the message: The U.S. border is no longer open.
Americans Respond
The stunning turnaround is being hailed by Republican leaders and border communities alike, many of whom spent years sounding the alarm about unchecked illegal immigration.
“President Trump promised to take control of the border—and that’s exactly what he’s done,” said a Texas sheriff near the Rio Grande. “Our communities are finally seeing peace again.”
Polls show that immigration remains a top issue for voters heading into the 2026 midterms, and the administration is expected to lean heavily into this success as a proof point of strong leadership and results-driven governance.
A Clear Message
The numbers don’t lie: Trump’s no-nonsense border policies are working. With illegal crossings at historic lows, the administration has sent a clear and unmistakable message to the world: America’s borders are back under control—and law and order is the new standard.