WASHINGTON, Feb 18 (Reuters) – The U.S. Border Patrol apprehended 29,000 migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally in January, according to agency reports on Tuesday. This marked the lowest number of arrests since May 2020 and a significant drop from the 47,000 recorded in December.

This decline in border crossings signals that the trend of reduced migrant apprehensions from the past year may persist under President Donald Trump’s administration.

After assuming office in January 2021, Trump implemented a range of executive orders aimed at curbing illegal immigration, including deploying military personnel for border security, limiting asylum claims, and enhancing deportations of migrants already residing in the U.S.

In contrast, former President Joe Biden, a Democrat, faced record levels of migrant apprehensions, with figures peaking at 250,000 arrests in December 2023. Biden introduced measures in June 2024 to restrict the ability of migrants to claim asylum if crossing the border illegally. His administration also collaborated with Mexico and other countries to address illegal immigration, resulting in a significant reduction in migrant arrests. Furthermore, new legal entry programs were introduced to provide alternative pathways and discourage illegal crossings.

Acting CBP Commissioner Pete Flores stated that the drop in border crossings has allowed more officers and agents to focus on enforcement duties, contributing to enhanced border security and safety.

This reduction in migrant arrests occurred even as Trump dismantled several of Biden’s legal entry programs, including one that permitted migrants in Mexico to use the CBP One app to schedule asylum appointments. The abrupt cessation of the app-based program left migrants with scheduled appointments stranded in Mexico and uncertain of their next steps.