President Donald Trump’s policies on immigration have led to a significant drop in illegal border crossings that had previously overwhelmed agents during President Joe Biden’s administration. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced historic lows in migrant apprehensions, marking an entire fiscal year where Border Patrol did not release any migrants into the U.S.
Chris Clem, a retired Border Patrol Chief for the Yuma Sector in Arizona, reflected on how different things are now compared to the peak of migration when his agents struggled to keep up with the influx of migrants. He vividly remembered how, back in December 2021, migrants would roam through agricultural fields and knock on doors at all hours. “It was chaotic,” he recalled.
Clem attributes the decline in crossings to more robust enforcement measures and the clear possibility of deportation. However, he expressed concern that political changes in Washington could jeopardize these advances. “A shift in Congress could lead to changes in funding and policy, affecting enforcement efforts,” he noted. The DHS’s preliminary statistics show that the Border Patrol recorded 98,708 apprehensions at the southwest border for fiscal year 2026, a staggering 95% lower than the average of over 1.8 million apprehensions reported during Biden’s time in office.
This translates to about 270 apprehensions daily, a stark contrast to the rough 5,000 per day that characterized the last administration. In Yuma, Clem mentioned that the daily arrival numbers grew from around 25 migrants in December 2020 to over 1,000 by December 2021. At one point during that month, daily totals even reached close to 1,500.
According to the DHS, for 17 consecutive months, Border Patrol has not released any migrants, completing what they are calling the agency’s first full fiscal year without any releases. Clem pointed out that, previously, smugglers often enticed migrants with the assurance that they would be processed and released once they reached the border. This expectation has shifted now, he contends, which is crucial for discouraging illegal crossings.
Clem highlighted that the issue of immigration should not be muddied with border security. While reforms are necessary, the immediate need is to keep the border secure. He concluded, “We need to ensure the safety of America first and foremost.” His comments echo sentiments shared by many in law enforcement that maintaining a secure border can coexist with the need to address immigration policy effectively.
