President Joe Biden is set to leave office with sharply reduced illegal border crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border compared to the record-breaking numbers seen earlier in his presidency. According to the latest report from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), crossings in December 2024 were down 81% from their December 2023 peak, marking a significant decline.
Pete Flores, acting CBP commissioner, emphasized the progress: “In the last six months of 2024, Border Patrol apprehensions along the southwest border have decreased more than 70% from the same period in 2023.” While this decline provides the administration with a late-term talking point, it contrasts sharply with the surge in illegal crossings that plagued much of Biden’s tenure.
Biden’s border policies have faced relentless criticism from Republicans, who argue that his initial approach led to a humanitarian and security crisis. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to restore stricter controls, with immigration remaining a cornerstone of his agenda as he prepares to reenter the White House.
Several factors contributed to the recent drop in crossings. Mexico has taken more aggressive measures to prevent large migrant caravans from reaching the border, reportedly using buses to relocate groups back southward. Additionally, Biden’s June executive order banning asylum claims for many migrants significantly curtailed the influx. CBP reported just 47,330 crossings between ports of entry in December 2024, a dramatic drop from the 301,981 recorded in December 2023.
The looming prospect of a Trump administration mass deportation program has also deterred would-be crossers. Over 271,000 migrants were removed between June and December 2024, with more than 700,000 deportations over the fiscal year. Trump’s expected reinstatement of policies like “Remain in Mexico” is poised to further discourage illegal migration.
Critics, however, point out that Biden’s efforts to control the border came late in his presidency, with earlier missteps exacerbating the crisis. His administration inherited low crossing numbers due to Trump’s pandemic-era policies, but numbers soared once Biden eased restrictions. By the time Biden implemented stricter measures in 2024, much of the damage had been done.
For conservatives, this serves as a clear lesson: strong borders are essential for national security and economic stability. Biden’s late pivot to tougher policies highlights the effectiveness of Republican-led initiatives, which prioritize law enforcement and discourage illegal activity.
As President-elect Trump prepares to enact his immigration agenda, the message is clear: policies that emphasize security and the rule of law are the only effective solution to the border crisis. Democrats, meanwhile, may continue to chase open-border policies and virtue-signaling rhetoric, but the American people have spoken—security comes first.
