In Sasabe, Arizona, the number of unlawful crossings by migrants along the U.S. southern border has seen a significant decline, reaching the lowest level since the fall of 2020. According to internal government figures obtained by CBS News, U.S. Border Patrol agents made fewer than 60,000 migrant apprehensions between official points of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border in July, marking the lowest number since September 2020 when the agency reported 54,000 apprehensions. This downward trend in border crossings comes after a record-breaking spike in migration in December 2023, when Border Patrol reported 250,000 apprehensions.
The reduction in border crossings in July marks the continuation of a remarkable downward pattern in illegal immigration that began earlier this year. Border Patrol recorded 84,000 migrant apprehensions in June, 118,000 in May, 129,000 in April, 137,000 in March, and 141,000 in February, according to government statistics. These figures do not include entries at official border crossings, where the Biden administration is processing approximately 1,500 migrants per day through a phone app that distributes appointments to those waiting in Mexico.
While the decline in crossings has been ongoing for months, U.S. officials attribute the recent steep decrease in illegal border crossings to a proclamation issued by President Biden in early June that has significantly restricted access to the overwhelmed U.S. asylum system. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stated in an interview with CBS News that the administration’s actions, including the president’s executive order, have played a crucial role in cutting off access to smugglers and reducing illegal border crossings.
The significant drop in migration to the U.S. border has brought the weekly daily average of illegal border crossings close to the 1,500 threshold set by the Biden administration to deactivate its asylum crackdown. In December, Border Patrol recorded approximately 8,000 illegal crossings per day. Other factors contributing to the decrease in border crossings include a large-scale crackdown on migrants by Mexican officials at the request of the U.S., as well as the harsh summer temperatures making the migration journey even more perilous.
Mayorkas credited President Biden’s decisive action in June for the decline in illegal immigration, stating that the administration’s policy changes have expedited the return of migrants to Mexico or their home countries if they enter the U.S. illegally. This policy shift has led to a sharp decrease in the number of migrants being released into the U.S. to await asylum hearings, as U.S. officials view these releases as a pull factor that encourages migration. Under the new rules, migrants are no longer required to express fear of harm if deported, and even those who do express fear are subject to higher standards for preliminary asylum interviews.
Despite criticism from advocates and Republican lawmakers, Mayorkas defended the administration’s actions, highlighting the creation of legal pathways for migrants to enter the U.S. through programs like the app-powered border appointment system and policies that allow certain groups from countries like Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to fly to the U.S. if they have American sponsors. The asylum system remains open, but the border is not, according to Mayorkas, who emphasized the importance of following lawful, safe, and orderly pathways for migration.
Restrictions on asylum are expected to continue in the coming year, regardless of the outcome of the presidential election in November. Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign manager indicated that Harris would uphold President Biden’s asylum halt, while former President Donald Trump has promised to reinstate his hardline border policies if elected. The ongoing debate surrounding immigration policy underscores the complex and multifaceted nature of the issue and the need for comprehensive and sustainable solutions.
In conclusion, the recent decline in unlawful border crossings along the U.S. southern border represents a significant shift in the landscape of migration and asylum policy. While the Biden administration’s actions have led to a notable decrease in illegal immigration, the broader debate around immigration policy continues to evolve, with implications for both domestic and international stakeholders. As the situation at the border remains fluid, it is essential for policymakers to consider the humanitarian, legal, and practical aspects of immigration in crafting effective and sustainable solutions for the future.
