Unlawful crossings at the U.S. southern border have dropped for the fifth consecutive month in July, reaching the lowest level since the fall of 2020. Government figures show that U.S. Border Patrol agents made approximately 56,000 migrant apprehensions between official points of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border in July, the lowest number since September 2020. This marks a significant decrease from the record-breaking spike in migration in December 2020, when Border Patrol reported 250,000 apprehensions.
The downward trend in illegal immigration has been evident since earlier this year, with migrant apprehensions decreasing each month. The Biden administration’s proclamation issued in June has been attributed to the recent steep decrease in border crossings. This proclamation has restricted access to the U.S. asylum system, significantly reducing illegal border crossings. Other factors contributing to the decrease include a crackdown on migrants by Mexican officials, as well as extreme summer temperatures making the trek more difficult for migrants.
President Biden’s June proclamation has effectively shut down asylum processing between ports of entry, making it easier for U.S. immigration officials to promptly return migrants to Mexico or their home countries if they enter the U.S. illegally. This policy change has led to a decrease in the number of migrants being released into the U.S. to await asylum hearings, as well as a reduction in migrants who are allowed to stay in the country for years even if their asylum claims fail due to a backlog of cases in immigration courts. Unaccompanied children and vulnerable groups are exempt from the asylum crackdown.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas credits President Biden’s “decisive action” for the decrease in illegal immigration, stating that the administration has created several programs for migrants to enter the U.S. legally, such as the app-powered border appointment system and a policy that allows individuals from certain countries to fly to the U.S. with American sponsors. Mayorkas highlights that the asylum system remains open, but the border is not, emphasizing the importance of using lawful and safe pathways for migration.
Criticism of the administration’s asylum restrictions has come from advocates who argue that it goes against U.S. asylum laws, as well as from Republican lawmakers who view the move as politically motivated ahead of the election. Mayorkas notes that the asylum restrictions are likely to continue regardless of the outcome of the presidential election in November, with Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign signaling that she would maintain the policy if elected. The issue of immigration remains a central focus in U.S. politics, with potential implications for future border policies.
