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Border security

Border Crossings Plummet to Four-Year Low as Biden Administration's Restrictions Take Hold

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The latest federal enforcement data show that illegal crossings at the US-Mexico border have dropped to their lowest levels in nearly four years, a 32 percent decline from June and the fifth straight month of falls. The Biden administration attributes the change to executive actions announced this spring that effectively shut off access to the US asylum system for migrants who enter illegally. The Mexican government has also tightened enforcement this year, arresting record numbers of migrants attempting to transit the country en route to the US border.

Key Takeaways:

  • The number of illegal crossings at the US-Mexico border dropped to 56,408 in July, a 32 percent decline from June and the lowest level in nearly four years.
  • Executive actions announced by President Biden in the spring effectively shut off access to the US asylum system for migrants who enter illegally.
  • The Mexican government has arrested record numbers of migrants attempting to transit the country en route to the US border.
  • Border apprehensions have averaged more than 2 million per year during Biden's first three years in office, but have plummeted 77 percent since December.
  • The White House claims the administration's policies are working, despite criticism from Republicans who say the administration's restrictions have created a "shell game" to make the border numbers appear better.
  • Since early June, federal agents have deported more than 92,000 people to more than 130 countries.
  • Border officials say the declines spanned all demographics, including families, unaccompanied minors, and adults traveling on their own.
  • Republicans have accused the Biden administration of abusing the parole authority to admit migrants who might otherwise attempt to enter illegally.

Statistics:

  • 56,408: The number of illegal crossings at the US-Mexico border in July, a 32 percent decline from June.
  • 92,000+: The number of people deportated by federal agents to more than 130 countries since early June.
  • 77 percent: The decline in border apprehensions since December.
  • 2 million+: The average number of border apprehensions per year during Biden's first three years in office.
  • 2,500+: The daily average of border crossings for which the US asylum system is shut off under the Biden administration's new restrictions.
  • June 2023: The month in which President Biden announced new measures to block migrants' access to the US asylum system when illegal border crossings are above average.
  • 249,740: The record number of border crossings in a single month (December 2022).

Sources:

  • US Customs and Border Protection
  • The Biden administration
  • Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.)
  • White House spokesperson Angelo Fernández Hernández
  • CBP data

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