Asylum Seeker Numbers Drop Sharply Amid New U.S. Border Policies

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Key Takeaways

U.S. asylum seeker apprehensions dropped 85% in January 2025, with daily averages reaching just 285 by mid-February.
Trump administration policies suspended all undocumented migrant entry on January 20, 2025, and ended the CBP One scheduling app.
Over 200,000 migrants stranded in Mexico face limited options, complicating regional asylum systems and causing potential humanitarian crises.

Asylum seeker numbers have dropped sharply at the U.S. southern border 🇺🇸 in recent months, reflecting a significant change in migration patterns. This unprecedented decline is primarily tied to strict immigration policies introduced by the Trump administration after it returned to office on January 20, 2025.

Data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) highlights a striking reduction in border activity. Between January 21 and January 31, 2025, the U.S. Border Patrol reported an 85% decrease in apprehensions compared to the same period in 2024. This downward trend persisted into February, with Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks confirming that daily average apprehensions dropped to just 285 between February 13 and 19. To put this figure in perspective, maintaining this daily average over an entire month would result in approximately 8,550 apprehensions—the lowest since October 1999.

Asylum Seeker Numbers Drop Sharply Amid New U.S. Border Policies

Policy Changes Under the Trump Administration

The sharp decline in asylum seekers and other migrants can largely be attributed to new policies implemented by the Trump administration. On January 20, 2025, an executive order was issued suspending the entry of undocumented migrants under all circumstances. Invoking Article IV of the U.S. Constitution, the order labeled migration at the border as an “invasion.” This effectively eliminated access to asylum for individuals crossing the border.

Critics say these policies have fundamentally changed how the border operates. Amnesty International remarked that, as of February 20, 2025, “the right to seek asylum in the United States is non-existent at the U.S.-Mexico border.” Border Patrol officers, who previously processed asylum claims, are now instructed to deny such requests outright. This approach overlaps numerous bans on asylum applications, creating what advocates describe as near-total barriers to protection at the border.

Additionally, the administration abruptly ended a program using the CBP One smartphone app, which previously let asylum seekers schedule appointments at ports of entry. Between January 20 and January 31, encounters at ports of entry fell by 93% compared to the average of the preceding days. The shutdown of this system left thousands of migrants without a way to approach border officials legally.

Another component of the administration’s strategy involves shifting from “catch and release”—a practice where migrants were released while waiting for court hearings—to a model centered on “arrest, detain, and rapidly remove.” CBP now prioritizes detaining individuals and ensuring their speedy deportation. Chief Banks noted that since January 20, just two migrants have been released from custody, and those cases were exceptional—they were witnesses in criminal investigations.

Regional Impact on Migration and Mexico’s Response

While the U.S. southern border appears quieter than at any time in recent memory, the new policies have created ripple effects in Mexico 🇲🇽. Migrants who were once poised to cross into the United States now find themselves stranded. Reports indicate that more than 200,000 migrants, many of them from regions outside Mexico, are stuck due to the cancellation of CBP One appointments. This has resulted in mounting pressure on Mexico’s asylum system.

Cities like Tapachula, Tijuana, and Mexico City are experiencing an influx of migrants seeking assistance from Mexico’s Refugee Aid Commission (COMAR). Long lines have become an increasingly common sight as people, stranded and unable to move northward, turn to Mexico for help. Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations warn that the situation could escalate into a crisis, with resources stretched thin and many migrants lacking adequate shelter or support.

Sector-by-Sector Breakdown of the Decline

The effects of the Trump administration’s policies are clearly visible across multiple border sectors in the U.S. In south Texas’s Rio Grande Valley, agents have reported apprehending just 50 individuals daily—a significant drop from previous years. Meanwhile, in the Del Rio Sector, also in Texas, encounters have largely fallen below 50 per day. In the El Paso Sector, which spans west Texas and parts of New Mexico, average daily apprehensions stand at around 70. Officials in the region report that “few if any migrants are claiming asylum” at this time.

These declines come as a stark departure from recent years. For context, during fiscal year 2022, 36,600 individuals were granted asylum after applying for protection upon or after arriving in the United States. While this represented a 120% increase from 2021 during the height of the pandemic, it was still a 20% decrease compared to the 45,800 grants in 2019.

Under current conditions, with asylum virtually inaccessible, experts project an even more dramatic drop in coming months. This marks a complete reversal of what was once a well-traveled migration route, as asylum seekers now face near-insurmountable obstacles at the southern border.

Legal and Ethical Challenges to the Policies

Not everyone agrees with the administration’s hardline approach. Human rights groups, advocates, and some states are actively challenging the policies in federal court. They argue that these measures violate both U.S. asylum laws and international agreements. Central to their legal challenges is the principle of “non-refoulement,” which prohibits nations from returning asylum seekers to countries where they face persecution or danger.

Organizations opposing the policies also emphasize the human cost. By closing avenues for safe migration, these policies leave vulnerable populations with few options except to remain in unsafe conditions or attempt dangerous, illegal crossings.

Despite mounting criticism, the Trump administration defends its actions as necessary for national security. Acting CBP Commissioner Pete Flores stated on February 19, 2025, that, “The men and women of U.S. Customs and Border Protection are aggressively implementing the President’s Executive Orders to secure our borders. These actions have already resulted in dramatic improvements in border security.”

Long-Term Implications

Looking ahead, the full impacts of these policies are still unfolding. The immediate outcome—a striking drop in asylum seeker numbers—has already transformed the landscape at the U.S. southern border. Once bustling crossings, where thousands lined up daily for processing, are now quiet. In a symbolic example, an Associated Press report described a six-hour ride-along with San Diego Border Patrol agents. The normally busy patrol encountered no migrants during most of the trip, only meeting one group in the final stretch.

For the migrants left in limbo, the future remains uncertain. Stranded across Mexico, they face a complex mix of humanitarian, legal, and logistical challenges. Additionally, pressures on Central and South American countries to manage shifting migration dynamics are anticipated to increase.

Meanwhile, within the United States, the Trump administration’s restrictive asylum policies will shape immigration debates for years to come. Whether these policies stand legal scrutiny or succumb to challenges in court, their impact on migration flows is undeniable.

Conclusion

The dramatic drop in asylum seeker numbers at the U.S. southern border represents more than just a shift in migration trends—it’s a fundamental change in how the U.S. handles border security and asylum claims. As reported by VisaVerge.com, this decline follows sweeping changes introduced by the Trump administration, ranging from outright bans on asylum to the cancelation of programs like CBP One. While some hail the policy as essential for securing the border, its critics point to ethical concerns and the humanitarian fallout. For now, the once-busy border crossings have slowed dramatically, but the broader implications remain unresolved.

Individuals seeking credible, up-to-date information on U.S. immigration policies can refer to the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website for guidance on asylum and other immigration processes.

Learn Today

Asylum Seeker → A person fleeing persecution or danger, seeking safety in another country but not yet granted legal protection.
CBP One App → A smartphone application previously used to schedule border appointments for asylum seekers wanting to enter the U.S. legally.
Non-Refoulement → A legal principle prohibiting the return of asylum seekers to places where they face persecution or significant harm.
Catch and Release → A prior U.S. practice of releasing migrants while they awaited immigration court hearings, now replaced by stricter policies.
Executive Order → A directive issued by a U.S. President to manage operations or enforce policies within the federal government.

This Article in a Nutshell

Asylum seeker numbers at the U.S. southern border plummeted by 85% under strict Trump administration policies reinstated in 2025. Labeling migration an “invasion,” asylum rights were effectively eliminated, prompting legal challenges and humanitarian concerns. Meanwhile, Mexico faces mounting pressure as stranded migrants overwhelm resources, signaling a complex, unfolding crisis with global implications.
— By VisaVerge.com