Illegal Border Crossings Reach 55-Year Low
In 2025, illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border dropped to their lowest level in 55 years, although a significant portion of these attempts occurred during the last months of the Biden administration.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported that from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, federal authorities apprehended 237,565 immigrants along the Southwest border.
This figure represents the fewest arrests in a fiscal year since 1970, when authorities intercepted 201,780 individuals attempting to cross the border. Additionally, it marks an 87% decline compared to the average of about 1.86 million arrests seen over the past four fiscal years.
“Our borders are the most secure in American history, and our year-end numbers prove that,” stated DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. “We have broken multiple records this year, including a new low for border patrol apprehensions.” She emphasized the achievement under the Trump administration and the support provided to law enforcement.
However, most of the concerns noted in 2025 surfaced during the final quarter of Biden’s presidency, where, from 2021 to 2024, an estimated 2.4 million immigrants entered the U.S. annually, primarily through illegal means.
In the first 111 days of the fiscal year, while Biden was still in office, Border Patrol agents apprehended 172,026 individuals, which accounted for 72% of the total for 2025. In contrast, during the next 254 days under the Trump administration, there were 65,539 arrests, making up 27% of the year’s sum.
Interestingly, DHS noted that no migrants were released into the United States during September, marking the fifth consecutive month of this practice. In comparison, in September 2024, under the Biden administration, a total of 9,144 immigrants were released.
Since taking office, President Trump acted swiftly to tighten border controls, deploying thousands of troops to deter illegal immigration, suspending asylum claims, and revamping Biden’s immigration strategies. Moreover, he directed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest and deport illegal immigrants. This year, ICE aims to deport 600,000 illegal immigrants, and over 2 million have reportedly left the country voluntarily since January, according to DHS data.
