Arrests for illegal border crossings from Mexico saw a slight decrease in December, remaining at levels that are among the lowest since mid-2020. According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection official, there were approximately 44,000 arrests in December, which is similar to the nearly 46,600 arrests noted in November. This marks the sixth consecutive month where crossing arrests have been below the average monthly figures recorded in 2019.
As we approach the end of President Biden’s term, the December figures suggest that his administration experiences one of the lowest outputs concerning illegal crossings during his presidency. In a statement, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas pointed to the effective implementation of asylum restrictions as a key factor in keeping the numbers down.
Mayorkas highlighted the importance of strong border enforcement, collaboration with international partners, and the provision of lawful pathways for humanitarian relief as essential to this ongoing success.
Notably, the December arrest numbers are significantly lower than the 250,000 peak recorded just a year prior, thanks to increased enforcement efforts within Mexico and the Biden administration’s introduction of strict asylum limits.
In terms of regional crossing patterns, Texas’ Rio Grande Valley was identified as the second-busiest area for illegal crossings, while San Diego remained the busiest. The overall trend shows that for two consecutive months, those allowed to enter legally through official crossings surpass those arrested for illegal entries. This shift reflects the administration’s strategy to expand legal pathways while making it more difficult to claim asylum after crossing the border unlawfully.
In light of these statistics, it appears that there may be potential changes ahead, as the incoming administration led by Donald Trump may look to reinforce border security and reconsider existing policies related to asylum seekers.
