Key Takeaways
• Since January 2025, Trump’s border orders pushed migrants into deadly New Mexico desert crossing routes.
• El Paso sector found 299 human remains Jan 2023-Aug 2024, doubling prior 20 months’ deaths.
• Border Patrol encounters dropped from 189,359 in March 2024 to 11,017 in March 2025.
A surge in migrant deaths in the New Mexico desert has drawn urgent attention to the human cost of the Trump administration’s latest border crackdown. Since President Trump signed a series of sweeping executive orders on January 20, 2025, the landscape of immigration enforcement along the southern border has changed dramatically. These changes have not only reduced the number of illegal crossings but have also forced migrants into more dangerous and remote areas, especially in the El Paso sector, which now includes some of the deadliest crossing points along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Deadlier Routes and Rising Deaths in the New Mexico Desert
Immigrant rights groups and researchers report a sharp increase in migrant deaths in the New Mexico desert. From September 2023 to June 2025, 27 sites with human remains have been found in this harsh region. The El Paso sector, which covers parts of New Mexico and West Texas, has become the most dangerous area for border crossings. Between January 2023 and August 2024, authorities discovered 299 human remains in this sector—more than double the 122 remains found in the previous 20 months.
This spike in deaths is directly linked to intensified border enforcement in Texas and new federal policies. As Texas and federal officials increase patrols, install more razor wire, and deploy military personnel, migrants are pushed away from traditional crossing points and into the unforgiving New Mexico desert. The region’s extreme heat, lack of water, and vast distances make it especially deadly for those attempting to cross.
Trump’s Border Policies: What Changed and Why
President Trump’s administration has taken a hardline approach to immigration since returning to office. On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed several executive orders and proclamations aimed at what he called “repelling invasion” at the southern border. These orders include:
- Suspending the entry of immigrants across the southern border until the administration decides the “invasion” has ended.
- Barring those who enter without inspection from seeking any immigration benefits, including asylum. This move appears to violate both U.S. and international law, which require that people fleeing danger have a chance to seek protection.
- Empowering the U.S. military to seal the border and assist in immigration enforcement, a step rarely seen in modern U.S. history.
- Ending the use of the CBP One app and closing “safe mobility offices” in Latin America, which previously allowed some migrants to apply for asylum or other protections in an orderly way.
- Reinstating and expanding the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which forces asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their claims are processed in the United States.
These changes have made it much harder for migrants to enter the United States 🇺🇸 legally or to seek asylum at ports of entry. As a result, many feel they have no choice but to risk dangerous crossings through remote areas like the New Mexico desert.
Enforcement in the El Paso Sector: More Patrols, More Barriers
The El Paso sector has become a focal point for these new enforcement efforts. The area now sees more military and law enforcement patrols, new physical barriers, and the expanded use of razor wire. Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star has played a major role, with state troopers and National Guard units working alongside federal agents to block crossings.
Migrants who try to cross in this sector face immediate expulsion if caught. Those who make it past the first line of enforcement often find themselves lost in the desert, far from help or water. Local leaders, such as New Mexico state Rep. Sarah Silva, have criticized Texas policies for pushing migrants into New Mexico’s deserts, where the risk of death is much higher.
The Numbers: Fewer Crossings, More Deaths
The Trump administration points to a dramatic drop in border crossings as proof that its policies are working. In March 2024, there were 189,359 encounters at the southern border. By March 2025, that number had fallen to just 11,017—the lowest monthly total in three years. Apprehensions in January 2025 dropped 38% from the previous month, and February saw a further 70% decrease.
However, these numbers come with a steep human cost. The number of migrant deaths in the El Paso sector more than doubled in just 20 months. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this pattern matches what has happened in the past: when enforcement increases, migrants are forced into more dangerous routes, and deaths rise.
Detention and Deportation: Overcrowded Centers and Expedited Removals
Migrants who are caught by U.S. authorities now face almost certain detention. As of March 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers are at 117% capacity, holding over 45,000 migrants. The administration plans to double this number to 100,000 daily detainees as part of its Project 2025 plan.
Expedited removal procedures have also been expanded. This means that many migrants are deported quickly, often without a full hearing or access to legal counsel. The use of expedited removal is especially high for those who enter without inspection, as the new executive orders bar them from seeking most forms of relief, including asylum.
Asylum Access: Closed Doors and Legal Battles
One of the most controversial aspects of the Trump administration’s policy is the near-total closure of asylum at the southern border. The new orders bar most people who enter without inspection from applying for asylum or any other immigration benefit. Ports of entry are now closed to most asylum seekers, and the CBP One app, which once allowed for orderly processing, has been shut down.
Several of these orders are being challenged in federal court. Lawsuits argue that the blanket asylum ban and attempts to end birthright citizenship violate both U.S. law and the Constitution. Some of these measures are currently under temporary restraining orders, meaning they cannot be fully enforced while the courts decide their legality.
Humanitarian Impact: Advocacy Groups Sound the Alarm
Human rights organizations, including the Hope Border Institute and Human Rights Watch, warn that these policies are creating a humanitarian crisis. They argue that forcing migrants into the New Mexico desert and other remote areas directly causes deaths and suffering. The principle of non-refoulement—which means not sending people back to places where they face danger—is a key part of both U.S. and international law. Advocacy groups say the new policies violate this principle.
The closure of “safe mobility offices” and the end of the CBP One app have left many migrants stranded in Mexico 🇲🇽, unable to seek protection in the United States 🇺🇸. Some are forced to wait in dangerous border towns, while others risk their lives trying to cross in remote areas.
Step-by-Step: What Migrants Face at the Border
For those considering crossing the southern border, the process is now more difficult and dangerous than ever:
- Attempting Entry: Migrants encounter increased military and law enforcement presence, physical barriers like razor wire, and immediate expulsion if caught.
- Seeking Asylum: Those who reach a port of entry must meet strict documentary requirements and are usually denied the chance to apply for asylum.
- Detention: Apprehended migrants are held in crowded detention centers, often with limited access to legal help.
- Deportation: Expedited removal is widely used, meaning many are deported quickly without a full hearing.
For more information on current border policies and procedures, readers can visit the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website.
Multiple Perspectives: Security, Law, and Human Rights
The Trump administration defends its actions by saying they are needed to protect national security and public safety. Officials point to the sharp drop in illegal crossings as evidence that the policies are working. They argue that strong enforcement is the only way to stop what they call an “invasion” at the border.
Legal experts and advocacy groups see things differently. They argue that the new policies break U.S. and international law, especially when it comes to asylum and birthright citizenship. Lawsuits are ongoing, and some measures have already been blocked by courts.
Local leaders in New Mexico and other border states are also speaking out. Many say that Texas’s aggressive enforcement, combined with federal policies, is pushing migrants into their states and creating new dangers. They call for more humane solutions that protect both border security and human life.
Background: How Did We Get Here?
The current crisis did not happen overnight. Migrant deaths have increased during previous periods of strict border enforcement. When traditional crossing points are blocked, migrants look for other ways in—often through more dangerous areas.
Operation Lone Star, launched by Texas in 2021, has steadily expanded over the years. The program uses state troopers, National Guard units, and physical barriers to block crossings. The Trump administration’s latest orders have given states like Texas even more power to act, sometimes leading to conflicts with federal law and court orders.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Border Policy?
The Trump administration shows no sign of easing its border clampdown. Officials are considering using additional public health authorities, such as Title 42, to further restrict entry. At the same time, legal challenges could force changes to some of the most controversial policies, especially those that clearly conflict with existing laws and constitutional protections.
Experts warn that unless policies change or new humanitarian corridors are created, the number of deaths in places like the New Mexico desert will likely continue to rise. The situation remains fluid, with further policy changes and court decisions expected in the coming months.
Practical Guidance for Migrants and Advocates
Migrants and their advocates should be aware of the following:
- Legal Help: Many organizations, such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), offer legal assistance to migrants facing detention or deportation.
- Official Information: For up-to-date information on border policies, visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website.
- Humanitarian Support: Groups like the Hope Border Institute and Human Rights Watch provide support and advocacy for migrants in crisis.
It is important for migrants to understand the risks involved in crossing through remote areas like the New Mexico desert. The current policies make it very difficult to seek asylum or other protections at the border. Those considering migration should seek legal advice and explore all available options before making the journey.
Conclusion: A Border in Crisis
The Trump administration’s 2025 border clampdown has drastically reduced illegal crossings but at a steep human cost. Migrants are now forced into deadlier routes, especially in the New Mexico desert, leading to a surge in deaths. Sweeping executive orders have suspended asylum, militarized the border, and expanded detention, drawing sharp criticism from human rights groups and sparking ongoing legal battles.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the situation remains uncertain, with further policy changes and court decisions likely in the near future. For now, the border remains a place of danger and uncertainty, with the lives of thousands of migrants hanging in the balance. Stakeholders—including migrants, local communities, and advocacy groups—continue to call for solutions that balance security with humanity and respect for the law.
Learn Today
Executive Orders → Official directives from the President to manage federal operations and enforce immigration policies.
El Paso sector → A border area covering parts of New Mexico and West Texas with increased border enforcement.
Remain in Mexico → Policy requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while U.S. processes their claims.
Expedited removal → Quick deportation procedure often without a full hearing or legal counsel for some migrants.
Non-refoulement → Legal principle prohibiting return of refugees to places where they face danger.
This Article in a Nutshell
Trump’s 2025 border crackdown reduced illegal crossings but forced migrants into dangerous New Mexico desert routes, causing a spike in deaths and legal challenges over asylum bans.
— By VisaVerge.com
