Record Low Border Concerns in July

The southern border saw an unusual calm recently, with U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks sharing on X that July recorded just 4,399 border concerns—a notable drop. For three consecutive months, there were no releases.

This marks a new low, surpassing the previous low of 6,070 from June.

Declining Border Intersections

In July, the average number of concerns was about 141 per day at the southern border. This is in stark contrast to December 2023, when concerns peaked at over 10,000 during a crisis period under the Biden administration.

Throughout the years, agents have faced challenges managing immigration laws, which has put pressure on the resources of small border communities. Additionally, some Republican leaders have coordinated transportation for many immigrants to Democratic-led cities like New York in response to rising demands.

Low Numbers Attributed to Past Policies

The trend indicates the so-called “Trump Effect” on southern border figures continues, with low numbers being reported. The record high during the Biden era came in December 2023, reaching 249,785 concerns—most of whom were released into the U.S.

Texas Representative Morgan Luttrell remarked on X, “Borders are safe again—that’s accurate. Strong policies correlate with quieter borders.”

During President Trump’s second term, military presence increased at the border, alongside the use of a single CBP app that was frequently used by individuals crossing illegally to seek asylum.

New Data Reflects Ongoing Low Concerns

The transition from the previous app to CBP Home has allowed individuals to self-report their situations. For the past several months, the Department of Homeland Security has been marketing offers of $1,000 and complimentary travel for those without past offenses. With the current administration focusing on preserving sanctuary regions, deportation efforts have ramped up across the country, led by various Democratic officials in Congress.

Still, resources for border and immigration enforcement are anticipated to grow following the recent passage of a Trump-backed bill known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This legislation allocates billions for border security improvements and aims to reimburse states for expenses incurred during the Biden administration. Furthermore, ICE is set to begin recruiting thousands of additional agents, bolstered by a substantial employment budget.