A series of developments indicate that the Trump administration aims to significantly enhance the federal government’s approach to immigration enforcement.
Just months into President Donald Trump’s new term, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) has exceeded previous records for arrests and detentions. Additionally, the activity levels at the US-Mexico border have reached a historic low, contrasting sharply with the challenges faced during the Biden administration, based on information released by the White House.
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson commented, “President Trump is fulfilling his promise to the American people by securing the southern border and deporting unauthorized immigrants.” She noted that ICE detained over 2,000 individuals on consecutive days, adding that Trump’s second term has seen arrests surpassing 100,000. Jackson also mentioned that the administration has focused on tackling drug cartels, halving the flow of fentanyl across borders last year.
According to White House reports, ICE made about 2,200 arrests in a single day recently. So far, the agency has recorded over 100,000 arrests of undocumented individuals since Trump started his second term.
Customs and border security now claim “total control” over border operations, with decreases in daily encounters by 93%. This indicates a dramatic shift, as the immigration crossings have reportedly fallen by 99.99% since the beginning of the administration.
Currently, roughly 53,000 individuals are in custody, awaiting deportation—a level that starkly contrasts with the numbers seen under the Biden administration.
During Biden’s presidency, the monthly average of border encounters approached 160,000, with daily averages around 15,000. In total, the Customs and Border Protection agency documented encounters with approximately 11 million people throughout Biden’s term.
The enforcement actions regarding interior immigration issues were notably different under previous administrations. When Biden took office, he attempted to put a temporary hold on deportations—a move that was later overturned in court. As a result, the number of deportations in 2021 fell to record lows for ICE.
Stricter immigration enforcement has also coincided with a decrease in the traffic of fentanyl, one of the most dangerous drugs in the United States, which has dropped significantly from March 2024 to March 2025.
Meanwhile, deportations of violent criminal immigrants have continued across the nation. Recently, ICE agents arrested Salvadoran nationals for child sodomy, individuals in Chicago for child sexual assault, and yet another suspect in Houston for inappropriate contact with minors. Previously, Honduran nationals were apprehended in El Paso for child pornography charges, while others from Laos faced serious murder accusations.
Jackson remarked, “It’s not a good time to be an illegal immigrant under President Trump’s leadership, and it’s a positive moment for those striving to become American citizens.”
