Apprehensions along the U.S.-Mexico border plummeted by 33% in January 2025 according to newly released Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data, marking the steepest monthly decline in over a decade. Initial figures show 61,465 migrant encounters compared to 96,048 in December 2024, with numbers dropping sharply following President Trump’s executive actions on border security.
The decline accelerated after January 20, with daily southwest border apprehensions falling from 2,000+ to 786. CBP attributes this 85% reduction to expanded military patrols and aggressive repatriation efforts.
Our agents are finally empowered to secure the border,said Acting CBP Commissioner Pete Flores. Deterrence works when policies align with operational realities.
Key drivers of the shift include:
- Deployment of 5,000+ National Guard troops to high-traffic zones
- 93% fewer port-of-entry breaches after policy reforms
- Military aircraft repatriating 18,000 migrants to home countries
While critics question the long-term sustainability of these measures, the administration highlights a 176% year-over-year decrease compared to January 2024 figures. With monthly apprehensions now consistently below 100k – a threshold last seen in 2017 – analysts suggest this could reshape regional migration patterns.
The data coincides with rescinded Obama-era sanctuaries and targeted operations against transnational gangs. As border walls expand near Eagle Pass and other hotspots, the White House confirms plans to maintain heightened security protocols through 2026.