The number of migrants crossing the southern border has significantly decreased following the Biden administration’s stringent restrictions on asylum. In June, there were approximately 83,000 illegal crossings, a notable drop from the around 117,000 recorded in May and marking the lowest monthly total since January 2021.
The decline in crossings has extended into July, with a daily average of encounters at the border in the past week being under 1,900 as of Monday. This information was shared by a senior U.S. Customs and Border Protection official who chose to remain anonymous to discuss internal statistics.
This sharp decrease aligns with the enforcement of a June policy that prohibits asylum at the southern border, coupled with increased enforcement efforts from Mexican officials initiated earlier this year.
However, this decrease is occurring amidst a backdrop of heightened focus on President Biden’s candidacy in the upcoming election and the recent attempted assassination of former President Donald J. Trump. The potential political advantages of a border crackdown might be short-lived.
Furthermore, with a growing trend towards a stricter stance on illegal immigration among many Americans, surveys indicate that former President Trump’s more stringent approach could resonate with swing voters, including certain Hispanic Americans.
