Border Control Insights from the Trump Administration
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott, the Trump administration possesses unprecedented knowledge regarding border activities. He made these comments during an event in Washington, D.C., hosted by Breitbart Washington Bureau Chief Matthew Boyle, where they discussed the contrasting approaches to immigration between the Trump and Biden administrations.
Boyle highlighted the significant differences in border security efforts, prompting Scott to emphasize the stark contrast: “It’s night and day.” He attributed the effectiveness of the Trump administration’s policies to tangible actions rather than just rhetoric. These efforts included collaboration with Congress to secure additional funding, allowing for a transformation of what Scott described as an “out of control” border situation during the Biden administration.
“The Biden administration completely opened it up,” Scott noted, pointing out that there were extensive stretches of the border without any monitoring or enforcement for weeks or even months. He mentioned that during the Biden era, illegal crossings peaked at around 18,000 per day, a number that has significantly declined under Trump’s policies. “Why is it gone? Good policy,” he stated, emphasizing how agents were actively enforcing laws and implementing changes such as ending catch and release practices.
Scott hinted at an upcoming report about a complete year without releases from new entrants at the border, indicating that this approach sent a clear message internationally about the risks and costs involved in crossing the border illegally. He also noted that cartels rely on illegal immigrants to create distractions, enabling them to smuggle in more dangerous goods.
With stricter enforcement, Scott reported dramatic drops in illegal entries, at times falling below 200 daily. He expressed that while statistics can be manipulated, the current understanding of border crossings is the most accurate it has ever been in U.S. history. “We know more about what’s crossing our borders than we’ve ever known,” he explained, framing the discussions around effective situational awareness rather than just numbers.
The event also featured discussions on border security and public safety with DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, held in collaboration with CGCN and ALFA Institute.
