For decades, Americans watched helplessly as waves of illegal immigration overwhelmed our southern border. Career politicians from both parties made endless promises while Border Patrol agents were forced to process an endless stream of migrants rather than protect our sovereignty.

The situation reached a breaking point under the previous administration when agents were encountering over 11,000 illegal crossings per day.

When President Trump returned to office in January 2025, he promised a complete overhaul of America’s border security apparatus. Unlike his predecessors who relied on empty rhetoric and ineffective half-measures, Trump immediately began implementing a comprehensive strategy that put American interests first. The results have left immigration experts stunned.

Border Patrol encounters along the southern border have plummeted to levels not seen since the 1960s, according to White House border czar Tom Homan. In a February 17 statement posted to X, Homan reported:

From ‘Daily Caller’:

A review of past Border Patrol encounters, which are encounters made between ports of entry, shows he’s correct — and the numbers haven’t been this low since the 1960s…

“In the last 24 hours the US Border Patrol has encountered a total of 229 aliens across the entire southwest border. That is down from a high of over 11,000 a day under Biden. I started as a Border Patrol Agent in 1984 and I don’t remember the numbers ever being that low.”

Swift Action Yields Historic Results

The dramatic turnaround comes after Trump implemented an aggressive series of executive actions targeting illegal immigration. On January 20, 2025, his first day in office, the president declared a national emergency at the southern border.

Within the following week, he issued executive orders ending birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants and dismantling Biden-era programs that had encouraged illegal crossings.

“We’re seeing an unprecedented decrease in the number of encounters at the border,” demonstrates Eric Ruark, research director for NumbersUSA. “This is unquestionably a direct result of the Trump effect.”

Comprehensive Strategy Shows Immediate Impact

The administration’s strategic enforcement plan has delivered measurable results for American taxpayers.

By defunding controversial programs like the Safety Mobility Initiative and the CBP One app, the government has eliminated key incentives that previously attracted illegal immigration. A February 20 executive order further strengthened enforcement by preventing federal funds from supporting sanctuary city policies.

These decisive actions have already transformed traditional migration patterns. Intelligence reports confirm that notorious smuggling routes through the Darien Gap have grown silent, demonstrating the deterrent effect of strong border policies.

Expert Analysis Confirms Long-Term Viability

Immigration policy experts demonstrate this downturn represents a sustainable shift in border security.

“The Trump administration has demonstrated they’re serious about ending illegal immigration through concrete action, not just rhetoric,” Ruark emphasized. “The policies now in place create a foundation for long-term border security.”

House Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green validated these results, noting that border crossings dropped by over 60 percent in Trump’s first week alone.

This dramatic decrease translates to enhanced national security and significant cost savings for American taxpayers.

The administration faces ongoing challenges in addressing the estimated seven to nine million illegal immigrants who entered during Biden’s time. But the new enforcement strategy has effectively halted the crisis at our southern border.

Key Takeaways:

• Border encounters have plummeted 97% under Trump’s new enforcement strategy, reaching levels not seen since the 1960s.
• Comprehensive executive actions have effectively dismantled programs that incentivized illegal immigration.
• Experts predict sustained success as strategic enforcement replaces previous “catch and release” policies.

Sources: Daily Caller, NTD