Vance, Hegseth, Gabbard to Visit Border as Illegal Crossings Fall to Historic Lows
Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard are scheduled to visit the U.S.–Mexico border on Wednesday amid a dramatic decline in illegal crossings—the lowest recorded in decades.
The high-profile visit highlights the Trump administration’s intensified approach to immigration enforcement, with a “whole-of-government” strategy aimed at reducing illegal entries and expediting deportations.
Officials are expected to tour a federal immigration facility in Eagle Pass, Texas, once a key flashpoint in the border crisis.
Illegal Crossings Hit Multi-Decade Low
Since Donald Trump’s return to the presidency, illegal border crossings have sharply declined. According to recent data, U.S. Border Patrol is now processing an average of 359 migrants per day—a 90% drop from the same time last year under the Biden administration.
Eagle Pass, which had previously seen significant migrant activity—particularly after Texas authorities took control of a local park used to process migrants—has seen a marked decrease in traffic.
Trump’s Enforcement Agenda in Full Swing
The administration has launched a sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration, directing key federal agencies—including Homeland Security, Defense, and Justice—to bolster enforcement.
“In just 30 days, the president sealed the border, designated cartels as terrorist organizations, increased ICE deportations to levels not seen in decades, and we are on the verge of reaching an unprecedented pace of removals,” said Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy.
Data obtained by Axios shows February marked the lowest number of border crossings in decades, reflecting both new policy measures and Trump’s tough-on-immigration stance.
Migrant Encounters Continue to Decline
Border Patrol apprehended about 8,300 individuals in February attempting to cross between ports of entry—down from 29,100 in January and 47,300 in December.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reports that February’s figures are the lowest since monthly records began in 2000. By comparison, February 2023 and 2024 each saw around 130,000 encounters.
Policy Changes and Regional Impact
While some of the downward trend began prior to Trump’s inauguration, the administration has moved quickly to reinforce stricter policies. Among the most controversial actions is the shutdown of the CBP One mobile app, which had allowed migrants to schedule legal asylum appointments. The move stranded thousands in Mexico and canceled pending humanitarian screenings.
Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh of the Migration Policy Institute noted that many asylum seekers had been relying on the app for access to legal protection.
As Mexico remains a key player in regional migration control, analysts warn that ongoing diplomatic strains—especially those tied to trade—could affect long-term cooperation on border enforcement.
The Trump administration’s renewed focus on immigration is likely to remain central to its broader agenda, as questions continue to mount over the lasting effects on U.S.–Mexico relations and the regional migration landscape.
