- Politics
- US-Mexico border is silent
- By Manohar Patil
ICYMI: “For the first time in decades, the US-Mexico border is silent”
Recent reports from the White House and media outlets indicate a significant and uncharacteristic quietness along the U.S.-Mexico border, with some referring to it as “silent” for the first time in decades. This comes roughly four months into President Donald Trump’s second term, with his administration attributing the dramatic reduction in migrant encounters to its strengthened border policies.
Key Observations and Contributing Factors:
- Dramatic Drop in Encounters: Where U.S. Border Patrol agents reportedly encountered well over 100,000 migrants and asylum seekers every month just a year ago, current figures suggest fewer than 10,000 monthly encounters. In March 2025, Border Patrol apprehensions at the southwest border between ports of entry were down by 95% compared to March 2024. This marks the lowest daily nationwide apprehensions in history, averaging around 264 per day in March 2025.
- Policy Shifts and Enforcement: The sharp decline is largely attributed to the Trump administration’s renewed focus on stringent immigration enforcement. This includes a more restrictive stance on asylum claims, increased deportations, and a broader deployment of U.S. troops in designated “military zones” along the border. These zones allow troops to temporarily detain migrants before handing them over to Border Patrol.
- Cancellation of CBP One Appointments: A significant factor contributing to the immediate drop in encounters since the new administration took office appears to be the cancellation of appointments that migrants had made at ports of entry using the CBP One smartphone app. This system, which had facilitated a more orderly process for some asylum seekers under the previous administration, is no longer widely available for new appointments, forcing many to consider more dangerous, unofficial crossings or deterring them altogether.
- Impact on Migrant Behavior: The increased fear and uncertainty surrounding the new policies are reportedly causing migrants to hesitate or postpone their attempts to cross. Migrant shelters that were once overflowing are now described as “ghost towns,” and local officials along the border have expressed relief at the decreased activity.
- Mexican Government Cooperation: Reports also indicate that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has coordinated with the Government of Mexico on continued enforcement efforts, including Mexico’s independent decision to accept certain non-Mexican migrants being returned or removed from the United States. This cooperation plays a crucial role in curbing the flow of migrants.
- Historical Context: While the current silence is notable, it’s important to remember that shifts in border crossing numbers due to policy changes are not entirely unprecedented. Similar drops were observed at the beginning of President Trump’s first term, though numbers eventually recovered. Experts suggest that as long as underlying “push factors” for migration (economic hardship, instability, violence in home countries) persist, and hope for opportunity in the U.S. remains, migration flows may eventually rebound.
In essence, the “silent” border reflects a significant, albeit potentially temporary, reduction in irregular migration, driven by aggressive enforcement measures and a coordinated effort between the U.S. and Mexican governments. The long-term implications for migrant patterns and regional stability remain to be seen.
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