Arrests for illegal border crossings from Mexico in December are reported to be similar to the previous month, with around 44,000 arrests so far. This number is close to the 46,612 arrests made in November and indicates that there has not been a surge in crossings leading up to Donald Trump’s inauguration as president. The trend of low arrest numbers has been consistent for the past six months, with December expected to be one of the lowest months during President Joe Biden’s tenure.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas attributes the continued low numbers to the swift implementation of asylum restrictions in June. This success has been achieved through strong border enforcement, collaboration with foreign partners, and the provision of safe and legal pathways for humanitarian relief under the law. The efforts to curb illegal crossings have resulted in a significant decrease from the all-time high of 250,000 arrests in December 2023, with Mexico increasing enforcement within its borders and Biden introducing stringent asylum limits.
Texas’ Rio Grande Valley experienced an increase in illegal crossings in December, making it the second-busiest corridor after San Diego, which remained the busiest. El Paso, Texas, and Tucson, Arizona, followed as the third and fourth-busiest corridors, respectively. The tactical decisions of smuggling organizations and Mexican law enforcement have influenced the shift in activity along these routes. Additionally, the number of legal entries through official border crossings is expected to surpass arrests for illegal crossings for the second consecutive month, reflecting the Biden administration’s emphasis on expanding legal pathways while restricting asylum for illegal border crossers.
The Biden administration’s approach to managing the border involves creating more legal avenues for entry while cracking down on illegal crossings. The majority of legal entries are processed through an online appointment system called CBP One, which allocates 1,450 slots per day. Meanwhile, former President Trump’s focus on mass deportations has highlighted the importance of border security measures. Trump and his team have hinted at a possible revival of the policy requiring asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico for their court hearings in U.S. immigration courts. In September, Trump mentioned plans to end CBP One appointments, indicating potential changes in border policies under the new administration.
