The Trump administration’s aggressive border policies have slashed illegal migrant apprehensions to unprecedented levels, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reporting just 8,347 southern border catches in February—the lowest in agency history.
Released Wednesday in CBP’s February 2025 monthly update, the figures show a 71% drop from January’s 29,101 and a 94% plunge from February 2024’s 140,641, a testament to a barrage of executive orders reshaping U.S. immigration enforcement.
Nationwide, Border Patrol averaged 330 daily apprehensions, with southern border numbers dipping below 300 per day. CBP’s Office of Field Operations logged 3,362 inadmissible migrant encounters at ports of entry—a 90% decline from January’s 32,346 and 93% from February 2024’s 49,272.
READ: Florida Law Enforcement Cracks Down On Massive Rental Vehicle Theft Ring, Charges 6 Criminal Aliens
Acting Commissioner Pete Flores credited Trump’s directives, stating, “The men and women of CBP continue to aggressively implement the President’s Executive Orders to secure our borders, achieving historic lows in apprehensions.”
Trump’s Day One blitz included a national emergency declaration, redirecting military resources and resuming border wall construction, alongside designating drug cartels as terrorist groups, pausing refugee admissions, and challenging birthright citizenship for children of illegal migrants.
He also pressed Mexico and Canada for support, securing 10,000 Mexican National Guard troops in February to choke off migration and drug flows. “President Trump and Secretary Noem have sent a clear message: if you cross the border illegally, you will be deported without an opportunity to try another day,” CBP’s update noted.
READ: ICE D.C. Arrests Illegal Salvadoran Woman Convicted Of Assault In Virginia
The impact was swift. On February 16, border czar Tom Homan reported a mere 229 southern border encounters—down from Biden-era peaks of 11,000 daily—and the lowest in his 40-year career.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem followed with a record-breaking 200 encounters on February 22, the smallest single-day tally in over 15 years. Beyond U.S. borders, Panama’s data showed a 94% drop in Darien Gap crossings in January, with reports of migrants turning back south.
The administration hasn’t stopped. The CBP One app, once an asylum gateway, was scrapped and reborn this month as the CBP Home app, now featuring a self-deportation tool under Executive Order 14159.
“Leave voluntarily now for a chance to return and live the American dream,” CBP warned, “or be found, deported, and permanently barred.”
READ: Border Czar Tom Homan Casually Bites Into Apple Facing Protesters At New York State Capitol
Meanwhile, CBP seized over 10,900 pounds of drugs in February—including 1,266 pounds of fentanyl—and $1.3 million in illicit cash, underscoring its dual focus on security and narcotics.
With illegal routes drying up and enforcement tightening, Trump’s team is hailing a new era of border control—and American sovereignty.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
