Migrant crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border hit a 50-year low due to Trump-era enforcement policies, including asylum suspensions and expanded border security.

Migrant crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border have reached their lowest level in over 50 years, with daily apprehensions near historic lows, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks attributes the decline to the Trump administration’s aggressive enforcement, including a sweeping executive order suspending asylum for most migrants, even at legal ports, enabling immediate deportation without hearings. The policy, under legal challenge, is part of a broader strategy to achieve “operational control” through expanded interior enforcement and a buoy system along the Rio Grande. Residents in towns like Del Rio and Eagle Pass report improved daily life, faster cross-border travel, and stronger business operations, with some citing border conditions as a factor in supporting Trump in 2024.