Kristi Noem: How President Trump Promised — and Secured — the Border

The United States is posting record lows in unlawful entries after a rapid shift in border policy and enforcement under President Trump. As of August 21, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reports the lowest monthly encounters and the lowest single-day apprehensions ever recorded. In July 2025, CBP counted 24,628 total encounters nationwide, the second straight all-time low for the agency. On July 20, Border Patrol recorded just 116 apprehensions nationwide, the lowest single-day total on record. Southwest border apprehensions fell to 4,601 in July, a 92% drop from July 2024.

The Department of Homeland Security, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, says the sharp decline follows a “zero-release” policy now in place for three months in a row. Officials say zero individuals were released on parole from May through July. “History made, again. The numbers don’t lie—this is the most secure the border has ever been,” Secretary Noem said, crediting firm enforcement and a layered approach involving federal, state, and military support.

CBP leadership echoed that message. CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott stated the agency “shut down illegal crossings again this month,” tying the results to record enforcement and broader economic tools, including tariff collection. President Trump declared the border crisis “obliterated,” pointing to a strategy centered on detention, fast removals, expanded barriers, and international pressure.

Record-low encounters under new enforcement posture

Federal officials attribute the decline to several major policy and operational changes that they say altered incentives for migrants and smuggling networks:

• A new round of border wall construction and technology funded by Congress:
  • $46.5 billion for completion of the wall
  • $5 billion for advanced surveillance
  • $14 billion in grants to states for border enforcement
  • All included in the Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1)
• Return to stricter asylum processing, with expanded “Remain in Mexico” requiring many asylum seekers to wait outside the United States while cases progress
• Wider use of expedited removal, enabling fast-track deportation without lengthy court procedures
• A new travel ban covering 12 countries deemed high-risk, enforced at all ports of entry
• Amplified federal presence:
  • More than 10,000 active-duty service members deployed in support roles
  • Coast Guard air and surface patrols tripled along the southern border

These changes produced effects beyond the border line itself. Migration through Panama’s Darién Gap—a key corridor northbound—has plunged 99.98%, according to U.S. officials. Inside the U.S., an ICE-led surge in Florida in April, called Operational Tidal Wave, resulted in 1,120 arrests of criminal noncitizens in one week—the agency called it its largest such operation.

Policy architecture: orders, legislation, and military support

On Inauguration Day, President Trump signed executive orders establishing the administration’s direction. DHS moved to end catch-and-release, expand fast-track removals, and limit certain temporary visas, including some student visas.

The orders also directed the Department of Defense to assume administrative control over specific federal lands at the border, allowing the military to establish controlled perimeters and National Defense Areas. Officials emphasize that troops support detection, monitoring, logistics, and construction; they do not perform direct civilian law enforcement.

Congressional action followed with the Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1), which authorized the large funding boost for the wall and technology and provided billions to states to back local operations. For example, Texas receives federal reimbursement for parts of its ongoing Operation Lone Star.

At the same time, humanitarian aid grants for migrants have been paused and are under review for possible elimination in the next fiscal year.

While DHS and the White House highlight the federal-state partnership’s impact, state leaders have varied responses. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has repeatedly renewed a border disaster declaration, saying threats remain and state action is still needed. That mixed picture—federal pride in national numbers versus state caution about local risks—has defined this summer’s politics along the Rio Grande.

The policy context stretches back to 2024, when President Biden issued Presidential Proclamation 10773 and related rules that narrowed access at the border in response to record-high encounters. The current administration has retained and expanded parts of that framework, adding broader detention, tougher screening at ports of entry, and stronger pressure on transit routes.

Human impact, state-federal friction, and what comes next

For families and workers on both sides of the border, the changes are immediate and tangible. People stopped by CBP now face faster, more constrained outcomes at the line. The standard path, officials say, generally includes:

1. Apprehension before or at entry, followed by immediate detention or expulsion.
2. No parole releases while cases are pending; expedited removal applies in many cases.
3. Military units assist with detection and barrier work but do not make arrests.
4. States run parallel operations backed by federal grants under H.R. 1.
5. The travel ban is enforced across all ports, with secondary screening for flagged travelers.

Supporters argue the firm posture has cut illegal crossings to historic lows and weakened cartels. Critics—including humanitarian groups—warn of costs:

• More detention and fewer grant dollars for shelters
• Higher risks for people left waiting outside the U.S.
• Thinner resources for local charities even as some families still arrive and need basic care

Analysis by VisaVerge.com indicates the funding shift tilts decisively toward enforcement and away from humanitarian support, shaping outcomes on the ground as much as any single rule.

Officials point to the numbers as confirmation of success:

• July’s nationwide total of 24,628 encounters was down 59% from July 2024.
• Border Patrol apprehensions fell from 8,018 in June to 6,177 in July—a 23% monthly drop and a more than 90% year-over-year decline.
• Reported zero releases over three months mark a break from earlier periods when people were allowed to wait in the country during proceedings.

Looking ahead, DHS and the Pentagon expect wall construction and technology deployment to continue into FY2026. A Border Technology Summit set for late September will focus on biometrics, “smart” walls, and operations. Observers say the mix of executive orders, a major funding law, and a visible military role has created the most robust border security posture in modern U.S. history.

For travelers, students, and families, the practical guidance is clear: plan ahead and expect strict checks. Key implications include:

• People from the 12 travel-ban countries face bars to entry except for narrow waivers.
• Asylum seekers should expect to wait outside the country while cases move, with few exceptions.
• Employers near the border report faster cargo checks in some sectors due to new screening technology, though inspections can still slow freight on busy days.

Important note: CBP urges the public and the media to consult its official “Stats and Summaries” for the latest monthly data and methodological notes. The agency’s newsroom page is the primary public source for encounter counts, apprehensions, and sector-level updates: https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats.