The U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson stated that the number of immigrants arrested for illegal entry at the U.S.-Mexico border in February has plummeted dramatically, possibly reaching a historic low.
According to Tricia McLaughlin, the spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, it is projected that around 8,500 illegal immigrants will be detained by the U.S. Border Patrol by the end of February.
This figure is not only significantly lower than the 29,000 individuals apprehended in January but also a drastic drop from the 141,000 in February 2024. Two sources informed Reuters that the total number of arrests for this month could hit a record low, approaching the lowest level historically.
Upon returning to the White House on January 20th, President Trump took a series of actions to curb illegal immigration. He highlighted that during the administration of former President Biden, the number of immigrants surged, necessitating stricter border control measures.
The Trump administration’s actions included deploying military personnel to assist in border security and preventing illegal immigrants from entering the U.S. and seeking asylum. Furthermore, agreements were reached between the Trump administration and Mexico, as well as other Central American countries, allowing these nations to receive third-country immigrants deported by the U.S. and some migrants to be housed at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Cuba.
Enforcement statistics of the U.S. Border Patrol date back to 2000, with the lowest single-month arrest record being in April 2017 when 11,127 immigrants were apprehended during the early stages of Trump’s first term in office.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration earlier this month, accusing them of violating U.S. asylum laws and international treaties with their asylum bans.
During the initial stages of Trump’s first term, there was a significant decrease in border arrests as well. Some referred to this phenomenon as the “Trump Effect.”
【This article referenced related reports from Reuters】