Trump’s tough stance on immigration leads to a dramatic decline in border crossings and closure of migrant shelters.
At a Glance
- President Trump’s reinstated immigration policies result in a 96% drop in migrant encounters
- Migrants are turning back from the U.S./Mexico border due to increased deportation efforts
- Non-government migrant shelters are closing due to reduced federal funding and migrant releases
- U.S. Border Patrol reports migrants heading south instead of north
- Texas Border Patrol Sectors see significant decrease in daily migrant arrests
Trump’s Immigration Policies Take Effect
President Donald Trump’s second term began with a flurry of Executive Orders aimed at overhauling the U.S. immigration system. On his first day in office, Trump signed 10 Executive Orders related to immigration, proposing significant changes that have quickly reshaped the landscape at the U.S.-Mexico border. These orders included halting refugee admissions, ending humanitarian parole for certain countries, and expanding deportation efforts.
The rapid implementation of these policies has made it challenging for experts and the public to fully grasp their impact. Andrew Selee, an immigration expert, noted, “It’s really hard for outside organizations, politicians or the public in general to focus on any one of them.”
Dramatic Decline in Border Crossings
The effects of Trump’s policies have been swift and significant. U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael W. Banks reported a new trend among migrants, stating, “Recent reports from the United States Border Patrol reveal a new trend among migrants headed to the United States hoping to cross the U.S./Mexico border.” This trend shows migrants increasingly turning back from their northward journey, discouraged by Trump’s mass deportation operations.
The impact of these policies is evident in the numbers. Increased U.S. immigration enforcement has led to a staggering 96% drop in migrant encounters compared to the previous year. In Texas, Border Patrol Sectors have seen their average daily migrant arrest total plummet from over 1,900 per day in February 2024 to slightly above 200 in recent weeks.
Migrants Changing Course
Reports from various Central American countries illustrate the changing dynamics of migrant movement. In Honduras, nearly 50 migrants were observed heading south, away from the U.S. border. Similarly, on February 3, a group of 26 Venezuelan and Cuban migrants was reported traveling south to Nicaragua. Just two days later, 23 migrants from Honduras, Venezuela, Panama, and El Salvador were encountered re-entering Honduras from Guatemala.
These reports underscore the effectiveness of Trump’s immigration policies in deterring illegal border crossings. The “Trump effect” has created a new reality for migrants, many of whom are now choosing to return to their home countries rather than face the increased risk of deportation.
Impact on Migrant Shelters
The dramatic reduction in illegal entries has had a ripple effect on non-government migrant shelters along the border. With fewer migrants crossing and being released into the U.S., these shelters are facing significant challenges. The Migrant Resource Center in San Antonio, Texas, has closed its doors, as have two shelters in Pima County, Arizona, following the cessation of migrant releases.
This closure of shelters is directly linked to reduced federal funding and changes in migrant release protocols under the Trump administration. The situation highlights the broader impact of the new immigration policies, affecting not just migrants but also the support systems that have developed around migration patterns.
