Migrant apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border saw a significant decrease of 75% in September compared to the previous year, reaching the lowest level since the Trump administration. The preliminary data obtained by USA TODAY showed that the number of encounters and apprehensions dropped below 54,000 in September. This decline is projected to result in roughly 1.5 million unlawful crossings in fiscal 2024, down from more than 2 million in fiscal 2023. The last time monthly apprehensions and encounters were below 50,000 was in August 2020.
Migrant apprehensions first fell below half a million annually during the Obama administration in 2010 and remained under that level for eight years. The lowest point for apprehensions during the era was around 310,000 in 2017 during the first year of the Trump administration. Crossings then rose in 2018 and peaked in 2019.
The recent decline in unlawful migration began earlier this year and intensified in June when the Biden administration restricted asylum access at the U.S.-Mexico border through an executive order. Enforcement efforts in Mexico have also contributed to preventing many migrants from reaching the U.S. border.
Changes in U.S. and Mexican border enforcement policies often lead to temporary decreases in border crossings as migrants and smugglers assess how policies will impact them. The upcoming U.S. presidential election could influence future trends in illegal migration.
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