Robert Besser
23 Feb 2025, 21:37 GMT+10
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. Border Patrol arrested 29,000 migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally in January, the agency said this week.
This is the lowest number of arrests since May 2020 and a significant drop from 47,000 in December.
President Donald Trump, a Republican, took office on January 20 and quickly introduced strict immigration policies. He sent more troops to help secure the border, blocked migrants from seeking asylum, and increased deportations of those already in the U.S.
Before Trump, former President Joe Biden, a Democrat, faced record-high border crossings, reaching 250,000 arrests in December 2023. In June 2024, Biden introduced new rules limiting asylum claims for illegal crossings and worked with Mexico to reduce migration. This led to fewer arrests while also allowing some migrants legal entry through new programs.
Acting CBP Commissioner Pete Flores said that with fewer crossings, border officers could focus more on enforcing security and making the country safer.
Despite the drop in arrests, Trump canceled some of Biden's legal entry programs, including an app called CBP One, which helped migrants schedule legal entry appointments. Many migrants who had appointments were left stranded in Mexico, unsure of what to do next.
Get a daily dose of Detroit Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Detroit Star.
More InformationWASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. Border Patrol arrested 29,000 migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally in January, the agency...
HOUSTON, Texas: Two strong earthquakes hit the Permian Basin, the largest U.S. oilfield, this week, shaking the Texas oil industry...
BANGKOK, Thailand: Vietnam's government has introduced new social media regulations that significantly tighten its control over online...
BISMARCK, North Dakota: More than 95 million people faced extreme cold on February 18 as a polar vortex sent temperatures to record...
TAIPEI/BEIJING: Taiwan's defense ministry said this week that the Taiwan Strait does not belong to China, and any attempts to create...
WARSAW, Poland: European nations will not form a single, unified army despite growing security concerns over Russia, Polish Foreign...
Kiev reportedly believes Washingtons figure is far too high Ukraine has pushed back on the proposed establishment of a $500 billion...
(Photo credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images) The Dallas Stars started Saturday where they ended before the 4 Nations Face-Off break...
(Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images) The Tampa Bay Lightning hope to pick up where they left off before the 4 Nations...
(Photo credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images) The first game since a two-week break left the Detroit Red Wings filled with regret. At...
(Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images) Neither the Pittsburgh Penguins nor the New York Rangers got off to the start they...
(Photo credit: Connor Hamilton-Imagn Images) Gabriel Vilardi scored twice as the Winnipeg Jets defeated the host St. Louis Blues...