Border Arrests Drop 39% in Early Test of Trump’s Immigration Actions

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Key Takeaways

• Border arrests dropped 39% in January 2025, with a sharp 85% decrease in apprehensions after Trump’s January 20 inauguration.
• Trump’s executive actions, including suspending CBP One and asylum protections, left 270,000 migrants stranded on Mexico’s border.
• ICE mandated 1,875 daily arrests across 25 field offices starting January 25, intensifying interior and border deportation efforts.

Border arrests dropped sharply in January 2025, down by 39% from the prior month, signaling the immediate impact of President Donald Trump’s newly implemented immigration policies. According to data released by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the total encounters at the southern border fell to 61,465 during January. This decline was particularly significant following President Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025. In the 11 days that followed, U.S. Border Patrol apprehensions along the southwest border plummeted by 85% compared to the same period in 2024. Migrant encounters at ports of entry saw an even steeper decrease, with a 93% drop.

These changes were the result of sweeping executive actions issued by President Trump during his first days in office. Among the key measures was a suspension of entry for individuals labeled as part of an “invasion” at the U.S.-Mexico border. This was enacted under provision 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which the Trump administration had also relied on during Trump’s first term for travel restrictions. The January 20 executive order went further by denying individuals implicated in this “invasion” access to any protections under the Immigration and Nationality Act, such as asylum or other humanitarian relief.

Border Arrests Drop 39% in Early Test of Trump’s Immigration Actions

One notable policy change was the termination of the CBP One app, a tool previously used for asylum seekers to secure legal entry appointments. The CBP One system was a central component of facilitating controlled, legal entry, but its shutdown has left approximately 270,000 individuals stranded on Mexico’s side of the border. Many had already secured appointments or were waiting their turn, exposing them to significant uncertainty.

President Trump’s actions extended beyond the southern border. The U.S. refugee resettlement program was suspended indefinitely as of January 27, 2025. However, a State Department memo sent to refugee resettlement agencies on January 21 effectively ended the program earlier than the announced date, canceling all travel plans for refugees already in the resettlement pipeline.

Deportation efforts have also intensified. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) deported 7,300 individuals within the first week of Trump’s presidency. This includes removals carried out by CBP near the border and by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the U.S. interior. ICE has been particularly active, with arrests ramping up significantly. Between January 22 and January 28, ICE detained 5,537 individuals inside the United States. During this same period, ICE issued 4,333 detainers, which are formal requests for local or state authorities to hand over individuals in their custody to federal immigration agents.

The Trump administration has also imposed daily arrest quotas for ICE. On January 25, senior ICE officials directed their agents to make at least 75 arrests per day for each of its 25 field offices. This translates into a daily target of 1,875 arrests. According to White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, this number is considered a minimum standard, stating that it should serve as “a floor, not a ceiling.”

These enforcement measures offer a clear explanation for the dramatic drop in border crossings. If apprehension rates continue to mirror these early figures, monthly totals could reach some of the lowest levels recorded since mid-2017. Still, observers note that migration numbers initially declined during Trump’s first term but began climbing significantly after mid-2019. Whether current trends represent a sustained shift or a temporary adjustment remains uncertain.

Recent decisions, such as halting CBP One appointments, have had an outsized effect on legal pathways for migrants. This has effectively eliminated major avenues for asylum seekers to lawfully enter the U.S. Homeland security experts say this strategy is part of a broader restructuring aimed at making consequences for unlawful entry more severe, thus deterring would-be migrants.

Beyond immediate border-control actions, President Trump’s administration has rolled back several immigration measures enacted by his predecessor, President Biden. Executive orders aimed at addressing migration causes in Central America, integrating new immigrants, and setting limits on civil immigration enforcement priorities have all been rescinded. In their place, the administration has retreated to a more hardline approach, focusing on deterrence and rapid deportation.

Some of these actions have drawn sharp legal and humanitarian criticism. For example, an executive order signed on January 20, 2025, sought to restrict birthright citizenship, which grants citizenship to those born on American soil. This order was temporarily blocked by a federal court just three days later. Additionally, critics warn that barring asylum seekers could conflict with the United States’ obligations under international treaties, including the U.N. Convention on Refugees, as well as existing U.S. asylum laws.

Despite these legal hurdles, the administration asserts that its approach has made U.S. borders more secure. A DHS fact sheet released on January 26 claims that recent policy changes have resulted in a marked improvement in border security compared to conditions four years ago. The fact sheet highlighted a sizable increase in the share of migrants processed under Expedited Removal, a fast-track procedure for deporting individuals who entered the country unlawfully. Furthermore, DHS reported completing more than 685,000 removals and returns during fiscal year 2024—a figure not seen since 2010.

The administration’s rhetoric points to these measures as the first steps in a larger plan for immigration reform. Speaking to these intentions, the White House has emphasized its commitment to continuing and potentially expanding current enforcement efforts. Nonetheless, President Trump has noted the limitations of executive actions, signaling that real, lasting reform requires Congressional involvement. Earlier this year, efforts to pass bipartisan legislation focused on border security fell apart, leaving the administration to pursue unilateral actions in its place.

Human rights organizations and legal advocacy groups have expressed mixed reactions. They acknowledge the clear decline in border crossings but remain deeply concerned about the humanitarian and legal ramifications of these policies. Blocking asylum pathways, stranding migrants in Mexico, and ramping up deportations leave thousands of vulnerable individuals in limbo, increasing risks of exploitation and hardship.

As the administration moves forward, the broader implications of these changes demand close scrutiny. The short-term decline in border crossings is measurable and significant, but precedent suggests that migration patterns could rebound in the absence of comprehensive and balanced reforms. Additionally, any long-term resolution to immigration issues must account for the root causes of migration, which include violence, economic instability, and lack of opportunities in origin countries.

The debate over these policies is far from settled. Challenges in federal courts could alter the trajectory of certain measures, while international norms may push back against policies deemed in violation of agreements such as non-refoulement. For now, the 39% drop in January border arrests stands as a stark reflection of how quickly immigration landscapes can shift under new leadership. The effects, however, extend well beyond these statistics, touching legal frameworks, humanitarian considerations, and the broader U.S. approach to immigration.

For more details on U.S. immigration enforcement policies and the Immigration and Nationality Act, visit the official webpage of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services here. Further analysis and updates can also be found on VisaVerge.com, a trusted platform for comprehensive immigration news and insights.

Learn Today

Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) → A U.S. law governing immigration, citizenship, and admission, including rules for asylum and travel restrictions.
Expedited Removal → A fast-track process for deporting individuals who unlawfully entered the U.S. without court hearings.
CBP One App → A digital platform previously used by asylum seekers to schedule legal entry appointments at U.S. borders.
Non-refoulement → An international principle prohibiting returning refugees or asylum seekers to a country where they face persecution or harm.
Detainer → A formal request from federal immigration authorities asking local law enforcement to transfer custody of certain detainees.

This Article in a Nutshell

Border arrests plunged 39% in January 2025, following President Trump’s swift immigration policies. Aggressive deportations, halted asylum appointments, and a southern border crackdown led to record lows. While praised for border security, critics highlight humanitarian concerns and potential legal clashes. Can this hardline approach create lasting change, or will migration pressures rebound?
— By VisaVerge.com