In an unprecedented downturn, March 2025 saw the lowest rate of illegal border crossings into the U.S. from Mexico in recorded history.

The recent report marks a significant triumph in border control, largely attributed to stringent policies introduced by President Donald Trump, as Breitbart reports.

Trump policies yield dramatic chance

Since the inauguration of Trump earlier this year, his administration has aggressively pursued measures aimed at curtailing illegal immigration.

On Jan. 20, Trump signed ten executive orders focused on enhancing border security and managing immigration more proactively, including declaring a national emergency at the southern U.S. border. These actions set the stage for the subsequent decrease in illegal crossings.

Trump's initiative led to a pronounced enforcement of border laws, which included widespread immigration raids across the United States.

These raids contributed significantly to the reduction of migrants attempting to cross the border unlawfully.

The stringent enforcement measures saw a decrease from 8,327 border encounters in February 2025 to 7,180 in March 2025, as per U.S. Customs and Border Protection data.

This nearly 13% drop maintains the trend of decreasing illegal border crossings since the implementation of the new policies. Comparatively, in March 2024, there were 137,473 encounters under the previous administration.

Enhanced security produces results

Citing this milestone, Customs and Border Protection officials stated, "The month of March recorded the lowest southwest border crossings in history, marking a pivotal achievement in our nation’s border security efforts.

This milestone demonstrates that operational control is becoming a reality, which seemed impossible just a few months ago under the Biden administration, as enforcement measures continue to yield significant results."

Acting Commissioner Pete Flores commented on the effectiveness of these policies, emphasizing the empowered state of Border Patrol agents and the stringent repercussions for those attempting illegal crossings.

"Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Noem, the administration has taken bold, decisive action to restore control at the border," he said.

Chief Michael Banks from Border Patrol also noted the success of these aggressive efforts in February, declaring, "February proved our combined efforts in securing the border WORK," which underscored the administration's commitment to this issue.

Migrant shelter needs decrease

As a direct result of the diminished number of illegal crossings, several migrant shelters in the U.S. that were once necessary to handle the inflow have now been closed due to a drastic reduction in demand.

In late January 2025, two migrant shelters in Pima County, Arizona, ceased operations. This was followed by the closure of a private migrant shelter in San Antonio, Texas, in February 2025. These closures reflect broader trends influenced by the new border control measures.

The closures are indicative of the larger impact of Trump's immigration policies not just on border security but also on the facilities and services that support migrants.

The reductions in crossing numbers and the resultant shelter closures are seen as positive outcomes by the administration, aiming to demonstrate their achievement in managing border issues effectively.

This stark decrease in illegal border crossings and operational changes has reshaped the landscape of U.S. immigration policy and border management, marking a significant phase in U.S. border history. Officials continue to monitor the situation, maintaining readiness to adjust strategies as needed to ensure ongoing control of the U.S.-Mexico border.