In a notable shift, July recorded the lowest number of crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border in four years, a trend that could benefit Democrats as they gear up for their convention and continue to spotlight immigration issues in the presidential elections.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), encounters decreased by 32% from the previous month, largely due to President Joe Biden’s asylum ban enacted in June.
Last month saw 56,408 encounters along the southwestern border, encompassing California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, marking the fewest since the pandemic’s peak in September 2020.
“The measures we implemented in July have significantly decreased illegal entry attempts, contributing to the lowest number of encounters in over three years,” stated Troy A. Miller, the CBP’s Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner, in a press release.
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CBP noted that current encounters are now below the monthly average for all of 2019, prior to the strict border policies initiated by the Trump administration.
The notable decrease in encounters is attributed to President Biden’s June executive order, which capped asylum approvals, effectively halting the process.
Since June 4, encounters between ports of entry have dropped by 55%, with over 92,000 individuals either removed or sent back to their home countries, as reported by CBP.
Additionally, the number of immigrants processed for expedited removal, skipping immigration court proceedings, has tripled since the rule went into effect on June 5.
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CBP is also collaborating with international partners to manage migration issues, and Mexico has stepped up its efforts to prevent individuals from reaching the U.S. border.
“We are enhancing our enforcement strategies against transnational criminal enterprises that prioritize profit over lives,” Miller stated. “Recently, we had the largest fentanyl seizure in CBP history, showcasing the effectiveness of our efforts.”
Since October 2023, CBP has confiscated over 17,900 pounds of fentanyl, significantly increasing seizures over the last two years.
This crackdown includes targeting cartel leadership while disrupting supply chains across the border.
CBP also emphasized the protections granted to individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela under the parole program, with more than 520,000 individuals receiving protected status since January 2023.
Although the program faced a temporary pause last month due to fraud concerns, the Department of Homeland Security is working to resume it as quickly as possible.