In a dramatic reversal of border enforcement policies, the Trump administration has deported 20,000 illegal migrants in just one month—nearly matching the total arrests made during Biden’s entire final year in office.
Quick Takes
- Trump administration has removed 20,000 illegal immigrants in the first month, approaching the total number of ICE arrests under Biden in 2024
- Border Patrol arrests plummeted to 21,593 in January, the lowest since May 2020, with daily crossings dropping below 200 in early February
- ICE reports 33,000 arrests of at-large illegal immigrants for fiscal year 2024 with enforcement now three times higher than a year ago
- Border Czar Tom Homan pushing for increased pace of arrests despite challenges from sanctuary cities and limited detention capacity
- Administration has opened four federal prison facilities and authorized Guantanamo Bay for up to 30,000 detainees to manage capacity issues
The “Trump Effect” on Border Crossings
Border security has witnessed a dramatic transformation under the revived Trump administration, with illegal crossings plummeting by 39% in January compared to December. The Border Patrol recorded just 21,593 arrests in January, down from 47,316 in December, marking the lowest number of apprehensions since the height of the pandemic in May 2020. The White House has attributed this sharp decline to what it calls the “Trump Effect”—a combination of policy changes and messaging that has deterred illegal crossings at an unprecedented rate.
The administration’s hardline approach includes an executive order issued on January 20 that suspended asylum processing, citing an “invasion” at the southern border. Border Czar Tom Homan reported a 24-hour period with just 229 arrests, the lowest he has witnessed since beginning his career as a Border Patrol agent in 1984. Officials have stated that Homeland Security aims to reduce border arrests to zero, a goal that appears increasingly achievable as daily crossing numbers continue to fall precipitously.
Mass Deportation Campaign in Full Swing
The administration’s enforcement strategy extends far beyond the border, with interior immigration enforcement ramping up dramatically. ICE has reported 33,000 arrests of at-large illegal immigrants for fiscal year 2024, with the pace accelerating significantly in recent weeks. A targeted operation in Colony Ridge, Texas, resulted in 118 arrests, including individuals with criminal histories. This aggressive approach represents a complete reversal from the previous administration’s policies, which had significantly curtailed interior enforcement operations.
“If you look at the rest of interior enforcement, it’s about three times higher than it was a year ago today. Three times higher is good, but I’m not satisfied.” – Source
The administration is also employing psychological deterrence through a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign featuring Secretary Kristi Noem delivering a stern warning to potential border crossers. The ads, which have been distributed throughout Central America and Mexico, deliver an unambiguous message about the consequences of illegal entry. “If you are here illegally, we will find you and deport you. You will never return,” Secretary Noem states in the widely circulated videos, reinforcing the administration’s zero-tolerance policy.
Trump Administration Removes ICE Director Amid Falling Arrest and Deportation Numbers
Caleb Vitello, the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has been removed from his role, according to sources within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The… pic.twitter.com/l6fyusD3In
— Wayne DuPree (@TheDupreeReport) February 21, 2025
Challenges to the Mass Deportation Strategy
Despite the dramatic results, the administration faces significant logistical hurdles in sustaining its deportation campaign. Detention capacity has emerged as a primary constraint, with ICE already exceeding its budgeted allocation for 41,500 detention beds. To address this shortage, the administration has opened four federal prison facilities for immigrant detention and authorized the use of Guantanamo Bay to hold up to 30,000 illegal immigrants, demonstrating its commitment to maintaining the momentum of enforcement operations.
“Sanctuary cities are putting roadblocks up. We’ve got leaks. So we need to increase the arrests of illegal aliens, especially those with criminal convictions. So we’re going to continue.” – Source
Tom Homan has vocally expressed frustration with the obstacles to enforcement, including resistance from sanctuary jurisdictions and operational leaks that compromise planned raids. Nevertheless, he remains focused on accelerating the pace of arrests, particularly of criminal aliens. If current trends continue, border crossings could reach 60-year lows, with some areas reporting fewer than 200 daily apprehensions—a dramatic contrast to the peak of 250,000 monthly arrests recorded in December 2023, just over a year ago.
Sources:
- Border arrests plummet 39% in January in an early gauge of Trump’s immigration policies
- Trump admin says it arrested almost as many migrants in a month as Biden did all last year
