In July, the number of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally decreased for the fifth consecutive month, according to the latest internal data. Border apprehensions fell to their lowest level since September 2020, during the Trump administration.
Border Patrol agents apprehended fewer than 60,000 migrants last month, continuing a trend of declining apprehensions. This represents a 55% decrease since President Biden implemented executive action in early June to restrict illegal border crossings.
Apprehensions were at 84,000 in June and 118,000 in May. In December, there were nearly 250,000 apprehensions, more than four times the number recorded in July.
Border Patrol encountered approximately 8,000 migrants daily in December, compared to around 1,800 daily in July.
U.S. officials attribute the drop in illegal crossings to an executive order signed by President Biden in June, which limits asylum claims if daily border crossings exceed 2,500. Additionally, Mexico has increased its crackdown on illegal immigration, preventing many migrants traveling through Mexico from reaching the U.S. border.
Immigration typically slows in the summer due to extreme heat and harsh conditions, which make the journey more dangerous for migrants.
