Trump’s first-day actions sharply cut illegal border crossings
On his inaugural day of the second term, Donald Trump implemented policies that quickly reduced illegal entries at the southern border.
When Donald Trump began his second term, he moved to undo immigration policies introduced under the previous administration. Key steps included ending the practice of releasing apprehended migrants, disabling the CBP One appointment platform, and reviving the “Remain in Mexico” protocol. He also stopped special parole for certain nationalities, tightened asylum eligibility, declared a national emergency, and ordered new wall construction with military support.
These changes enjoyed the backing of Republican majorities in the House and Senate. Official figures show a drop in border apprehensions from nearly 50,000 in October 2024 to just over 3,000 by February 2025, with zero releases into the United States. The article argues that the contrast illustrates the impact of enforcement versus non-enforcement of existing immigration laws.
Why it matters
The policy shift shows how enforcement choices can dramatically alter border migration numbers.
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