The April 2025 figures showcase a 93% decrease in U.S.-Mexico border crossings compared to last year, marking a dramatic shift in illegal immigration trends.
Quick Takes
- April 2025 saw less than 10,000 illegal border crossings, a 93% decrease from the previous year.
- Manny Bayon highlights the lowest crossing figures in 25 years attributed to Trump’s border policies.
- Trump administration credited for strategic deployment of troops and ending “catch and release.”
- ICE’s increased deportation activity plays a crucial role in reducing illegal immigration.
April 2025: Lowest Border Crossings in Decades
Preliminary statistics for April 2025 indicate fewer than 10,000 unlawful border crossings between the U.S. and Mexico, a significant 93% reduction from the previous year. Manny Bayon from the National Border Patrol Council confirms these figures as the lowest he has observed in his 25-year career. This marked decrease in illegal crossings suggests a significant impact of border security measures related to policies instituted under President Trump.
The recorded data also shows that the number of migrant encounters in April remained lower than some daily figures observed during the Biden administration. The highest single day of illegal migrant encounters was under 450. These numbers follow similarly low crossings in February and March of this year.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 28, 2025
Trump’s Policies and their Impact
Trump’s administration was credited with various enforcement actions aimed at curbing illegal immigration. Measures included deploying troops along the border handling increased deportations with ICE, and ending the “catch and release” policy. Acting ICE director Todd Lyons acknowledged Trump’s contributions to enforcing immigration laws, resulting in over 66,000 illegal immigrant arrests and deportations in the first 100 days of his tenure.
Despite supporters crediting Trump’s policies for the decline, data analysis reveals complexities in these trends, noting influences from various factors including weather and political changes. While some claims of decreases—such as a supposed 95% drop reported by the Trump White House—are contested, the overall reduction is undeniably significant.
Analyzing Migrant Encounter Data
Analysts emphasize the complexity of interpreting border data due to mixed influences. The reported totals often reflect differences in encountered and non-encountered data like “gotaways.” Efforts to validate the trends against official data indicate disparities due to isolated time comparisons and inclusion criteria, notably differences between administrations’ policy implementations.
As the data continues to emerge, stakeholders examine how these prevailing trends might persist or change under subsequent geopolitical developments. Though figures for unofficial “gotaways” complicate precise measurements, the April 2025 numbers clearly indicate an unprecedented period of low illegal immigration.
