Unlawful Crossings at Southern Border Hit Historic Low in 2025

Key Takeaways

• June 2025 saw just over 6,000 unlawful border crossings, a historic low for U.S. southern border apprehensions.
• May 2025 illegal crossings dropped 93% from May 2024, falling from 117,905 to 8,725 apprehensions.
• Trump administration’s emergency proclamation and zero-release policies drastically reduced asylum pathways and increased deportations.

Unlawful crossings at the United States 🇺🇸 southern border have reached a record low as of June 2025, marking a dramatic change in migration patterns and border enforcement. This analysis examines the purpose and scope of recent border policies, the methods used to collect and interpret data, key findings, and the broader implications for migrants, officials, and the public. It also presents trends, comparisons, and evidence-based conclusions, while noting the limitations of current data and policy impacts.

Purpose and Scope

This analysis aims to provide a clear, detailed understanding of the historic drop in unlawful crossings at the southern border. It covers:

• The latest data on apprehensions and migration trends
• Recent policy changes and enforcement strategies
• The effects on migrants, families, and U.S. citizens
• Multiple perspectives, including government, advocacy groups, and experts
• The historical context and possible future developments

The goal is to give readers an objective, fact-based overview of how and why unlawful crossings have reached their lowest point, what this means for different groups, and what may come next.

Methodology

To ensure accuracy and depth, this analysis draws on:

• Official data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
• Statements from government officials, including President Trump and CBP leadership
• Reports from advocacy groups and legal experts
• Historical migration and enforcement records
• Media and policy analysis, including insights from VisaVerge.com

Data is presented with clear explanations and comparisons to previous years. Where possible, official government resources are linked for further reference. The analysis avoids speculation and focuses on facts, trends, and documented impacts.

Key Findings

• Unlawful crossings at the southern border are at their lowest level ever recorded.
• June 2025: Border Patrol reported just over 6,000 apprehensions of migrants entering without authorization, setting a new historic low.
• May 2025: Only 8,725 illegal crossings were detected, a 93% decrease from May 2024, when there were 117,905 crossings.
• Comparison to Previous Years: During 2022–2024, monthly apprehensions often exceeded 180,000, with daily crossings sometimes topping 10,000 in late 2023. The current figures represent a 95–97% decrease from those years.
• Policy Changes: The Trump administration’s emergency proclamation, zero-release policy, and increased military presence have been central to this decline.
• Legal Pathways Reduced: The shutdown of the CBP One app and swift deportations have sharply limited asylum opportunities at the border.
• Family Units Affected: The share of family units among apprehended migrants has dropped to 7%, down from 30% in 2020.
• Civil Rights Concerns: Reports of U.S. citizens, especially Latinos, being caught in immigration sweeps have raised concerns about racial profiling.

Data Presentation and Visual Trends

Monthly Apprehensions at the Southern Border (2022–2025)

• 2022–2023: Monthly apprehensions regularly exceeded 180,000.
• December 2023: Nearly 250,000 encounters, the highest on record.
• May 2024: 117,905 crossings.
• March 2025: 7,200 apprehensions (previous record low).
• May 2025: 8,725 crossings.
• June 2025: Just over 6,000 apprehensions (new historic low).

Visual Description: Imagine a line graph showing monthly apprehensions from 2022 to 2025. The line peaks sharply in late 2023, then drops steeply through 2024 and 2025, reaching its lowest point in June 2025.

Daily Average Encounters

• May 2025: 952 per day (second lowest daily average in history).
• Late 2023: Often over 10,000 per day.

Apprehended Migrant Demographics

• Single Adults: 84% of apprehended migrants in June 2025.
• Family Units: 7% (down from 30% in 2020).

Visual Description: Picture a pie chart where the largest slice represents single adults (84%), a much smaller slice for family units (7%), and the remainder for unaccompanied children and others.

Policy Changes and Enforcement Strategies

Emergency Proclamation and Zero Releases

• Emergency Proclamation: Issued by President Trump in January 2025, this order allows border officials to swiftly deport migrants without hearing their asylum claims. Civil rights groups are challenging this in court, arguing it violates U.S. asylum law.
• Zero Releases Policy: Since May 2025, Border Patrol has released zero illegal aliens into the U.S. interior, compared to 62,000 releases in May 2024. Only those with life-threatening conditions are excepted.

Military Deployment and Infrastructure

• Thousands of active-duty troops have been sent to the border.
• New barriers and military zones have been set up for temporary detention before migrants are transferred to immigration officials.

CBP One App Shutdown

• The administration discontinued the CBP One app, which previously allowed migrants to schedule asylum appointments at ports of entry.
• This has left thousands stranded in Mexico and sharply reduced legal pathways for asylum seekers.

Mass Deportations and Interior Enforcement

• ICE has been directed to conduct large-scale arrests of suspected undocumented immigrants nationwide.
• The number of people in ICE detention reached a record high in late June 2025.

Comparisons, Trends, and Patterns

Historical Context

• 2020–2023: Unlawful crossings surged, peaking in December 2023 at nearly 250,000 monthly encounters. This was driven by global migration pressures and the end of Title 42, a public health order used to expel migrants quickly.
• 2024: The Biden administration introduced new restrictions and worked with Mexico to reduce flows, leading to a significant decline by late 2024.
• 2025: The Trump administration’s immediate and strict enforcement measures have pushed crossings to the lowest levels since record-keeping began.

Patterns in Migrant Demographics

• The proportion of single adults among apprehended migrants has increased, while family units and children have decreased. This reflects the unavailability of asylum for families and the risks of crossing with children under current policies.

International Cooperation

• Mexico has increased its efforts to intercept migrants before they reach the U.S. border, contributing to the decline in crossings.

Evidence-Based Conclusions

• Aggressive enforcement and policy changes have directly led to the historic drop in unlawful crossings.
• Legal pathways for asylum at the border have been nearly eliminated, leaving many migrants stranded in Mexico or other transit countries.
• The zero-release policy has ended the practice of releasing migrants into the U.S. interior while they await court hearings.
• Mass deportations and increased interior enforcement have raised concerns about civil rights and the treatment of U.S. citizens, especially those of Latino descent.
• International cooperation, especially with Mexico, has been key to sustaining low crossing levels.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, these combined measures have produced the lowest apprehension numbers ever recorded, but they have also sparked legal challenges and humanitarian concerns.

Step-by-Step Enforcement Process (2025)

1. Apprehension: Migrants crossing between ports of entry are apprehended by Border Patrol or military personnel in temporary border zones.
2. Processing: Migrants are processed for immediate removal under the emergency proclamation, with no opportunity for asylum claims except in rare, life-threatening cases.
3. Deportation: Most are deported within hours or days, often via military aircraft. There are no releases into the U.S. interior.
4. Interior Enforcement: ICE conducts large-scale sweeps nationwide, detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants, with a record number in detention as of June 2025.

Multiple Perspectives

Government Officials

• President Trump: Credits the “Trump Effect” and aggressive enforcement for the historic drop, declaring, “The Invasion of our Country is OVER.”
• CBP Acting Commissioner Pete Flores: Praises the “historic support” and “unprecedented levels of operational success,” highlighting the 93% decrease in illegal crossings and the halt of releases into the interior.
• Border Czar Tom Homan: Confirms the historic lows and the zero-release policy, stating, “We have never seen numbers this low. Never.”

Civil Rights and Advocacy Groups

• Civil Rights Advocates: Argue that the emergency proclamation and zero-release policy violate U.S. and international law, particularly the right to seek asylum. Legal challenges are ongoing.
• Reports of Racial Profiling: U.S. citizens, especially Latinos, have reported being caught up in immigration sweeps, raising concerns about civil rights violations.

Migration Policy Experts

• Migration Policy Institute: Notes that both U.S. policy changes and increased enforcement by Mexico have contributed to the dramatic decline.
• DHS (Biden Administration, Early 2025): Previously credited international partnerships and new technology for a more than 60% decrease in encounters from May to December 2024.

Practical Implications

For Migrants

• Swift Deportations: Most migrants are now deported quickly, without a chance to seek asylum.
• Stranded in Mexico: The end of the CBP One app has left many migrants unable to access legal pathways, forcing them to wait in Mexico or other countries.
• Family Separation: The drop in family units crossing the border reflects the increased risks and lack of options for families.

For U.S. Citizens

• Civil Rights Risks: Some U.S. citizens, particularly Latinos, have been mistakenly detained during immigration sweeps, raising concerns about racial profiling and due process.

For Border Communities

• Reduced Crossings: Border communities have seen a sharp decline in migrant arrivals, which may affect local economies and services.

Limitations

• Legal Uncertainty: The emergency proclamation and zero-release policies are being challenged in court. Future rulings could force changes to current enforcement practices.
• Data Gaps: Some data on interior enforcement and the treatment of migrants in detention is limited or not publicly available.
• Humanitarian Impact: The long-term effects on migrants stranded in Mexico or deported to unsafe conditions are not fully known.

Future Outlook

• Legal Challenges: Ongoing court cases may change or overturn current policies, especially regarding asylum rights.
• International Cooperation: Continued low crossing levels depend on Mexico and Central American countries maintaining strict enforcement.
• Policy Adjustments: Changes in administration priorities or court rulings could alter the current enforcement landscape.

Official Resources

For the latest statistics and policy updates, visit the CBP Stats and Summaries webpage. This official resource provides up-to-date information on border enforcement, apprehensions, and policy changes.

Migrants and advocates seeking legal guidance can contact the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) or the Vera Institute of Justice for support.

Conclusion

Unlawful crossings at the United States 🇺🇸 southern border have reached their lowest point in history, driven by aggressive enforcement, immediate deportations, and the near elimination of legal asylum pathways. While these measures have sharply reduced apprehensions and changed migration patterns, they have also raised serious legal and humanitarian questions. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing legal challenges and the potential for future policy shifts. For now, the historic low in unlawful crossings marks a turning point in U.S. border policy, with wide-ranging effects for migrants, officials, and communities on both sides of the border.

Learn Today

Unlawful crossings → Unauthorized migrant entries into the U.S. between official ports of entry at the southern border.
Apprehensions → Detentions made by Border Patrol or immigration authorities of migrants crossing unlawfully.
Emergency proclamation → A presidential order enabling immediate deportation of migrants without asylum hearings at the border.
Zero-release policy → Enforcement rule preventing any migrant apprehended at the border from being released into the U.S.
CBP One app → A now-discontinued application that allowed migrants to schedule asylum appointments at U.S. ports of entry.

This Article in a Nutshell

Unlawful crossings at the U.S. southern border hit historic lows in June 2025 due to strict enforcement and policy changes, signaling a major shift in migration patterns with legal and humanitarian challenges ahead.
— By VisaVerge.com