The data provided to Fox by a senior U.S. Customs and Border Protection source revealed that the 21-day daily average of nationwide U.S. Border Patrol gotaways was just 77 as of March 12. The period from February 20 through March 12 saw the highest number of gotaways recorded in a single day at 110, with the lowest being 49. The total number of gotaways since January 21 has reached 5,889, covering the nation’s Southwest, Northern, and coastal borders.
The significant decrease in the daily average of known gotaways at the Southern border has been attributed to the change in presidential administration, with President Donald Trump being credited for the reduction. The White House’s rapid response account, along with other political figures, have acknowledged this drop as “THE TRUMP EFFECT.” The House Judiciary GOP account also expressed gratitude to President Trump for the decrease in gotaways.
A veterans group spoke out about the contrast between the border activity under the Biden and Trump administrations, noting the “amazing difference” in the area that was once bustling but is now quiet. Comparing the latest numbers to those from the Biden administration, which saw 670,674 known gotaways for fiscal year 2023, the difference is stark. It was highlighted that the Biden administration’s figure averaged about 1,837 gotaways per day.
Trump’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has criticized the Biden administration for what they believe to be manipulation of data, accusing them of “cooking the books” after the number of arrests surpassed all data from 2024. This criticism has come amidst the ongoing debate and political discourse surrounding border security and immigration policies. It remains to be seen how the situation at the border will continue to evolve under the current administration.
