Despite all the political noise, one thing is clear—border crossings hit historic lows in April 2025. That kind of result doesn’t just happen by accident. It’s a strong sign that President Trump’s firm border policies are leaving a lasting mark.
Quick Takes
- Illegal crossings at the border dropped by 93% in April 2025 compared to the previous year.
- The Trump administration’s policies, including troop deployment and revocation of “catch and release,” are credited for the decrease.
- In April, less than 10,000 migrants crossed illegally, showing the lowest numbers in over 25 years.
- Debate exists over the data’s accuracy and varied influencing factors of illegal immigration trends.
Historic Decline in Border Crossings
Illegal crossings have hit a historical low, with fewer than 10,000 migrants encountered in April 2025—a monumental 93% decrease compared to the previous year. For context, this follows record-breaking low numbers in February and March, with only 8,300 and 7,100 crossings respectively, according to the National Border Patrol Council. Manny Bayon, a 25-year veteran of the border agency, highlighted the unprecedented nature of this achievement, calling it unmatched in his experience.
President Trump’s administration undertook significant measures credited with the decline. The end of the “catch and release” tactic, the deployment of additional military personnel at the border, and an intensified focus on deportation operations are at the core of these efforts. This aggressive push reportedly led to the arrests of over 66,000 illegal immigrants within the administration’s first 100 days.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 28, 2025
Evaluating the Role of Policy Changes
Experts can debate all they want about what caused the historic drop in illegal immigration, but one thing is certain: the Trump administration’s bold policies got results. The White House pointed to a 95% decrease, while some analysts argue it’s closer to 60%. Either way, that’s a massive drop. Sure, some critics nitpick the comparisons between Biden’s final days and Trump’s early ones—but the big picture is clear: Trump’s America-first border policies worked.
Controversy and Context
While some still question how much of the drop in illegal crossings can be credited directly to Trump-era policies, there’s no denying that strong leadership makes a difference. Sure, factors like weather or politics can play a role, and some say the number of “gotaways” started dropping before Trump took office—but it was his firm stance that set the tone.
His administration put border security back on the national agenda. Today’s low numbers should serve as a wake-up call for leaders and citizens alike who care about protecting our borders and upholding the rule of law.
