The number of illegal immigrants arrested at the nation’s borders has seen a staggering decrease over the past year as White House administrations transitioned from former President Joe Biden to President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
U.S. Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks announced Friday morning that the number of apprehensions at the northern, southern, and coastal borders was down more than 90% this February compared to the exact period last year.
“What a difference a year makes! USBP apprehensions decreased by 91% from the same 7-day period last year,” Banks wrote in a post to X.
“This sharp decline reflects real progress in securing our borders and enforcing the law,” Banks wrote. “By stopping the flow at the border, we also streamline the removal of illegal entrants already in the country, reinforcing the integrity of our immigration system.”
What a difference a year makes! USBP apprehensions decreased by 91% from the same 7-day period last year. This sharp decline reflects real progress in securing our borders and enforcing the law.
By stopping the flow at the border, we also streamline the removal of illegal… pic.twitter.com/0HdOSGmf6b
— Chief Michael W. Banks (@USBPChief) February 7, 2025
White House border czar Tom Homan told reporters outside the White House Thursday that Border Patrol arrested fewer than 500 illegal immigrants on Wednesday.
For context, the highest-ever day of arrests, which occurred during the Biden administration, was 14,509 on one day in December 2023.
Last February, more than 142,000 illegal immigrants were arrested by Border Patrol in the 29 days of February, as it was a leap year, for an approximate average of 4,900 per day. That figure is roughly 10 times the one encountered at the border now.
An earlier Washington Examiner analysis of both public and undisclosed U.S. Customs and Border Protection data revealed that illegal border crossings dropped 54% from October 2023 to the first part of this week, as Trump’s return to Washington was recognized by would-be immigrants around the world.
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Banks took over as Border Patrol chief days before Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration ceremony. Banks is a two-decade Border Patrol agent who most recently worked as border czar for Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX).
The Border Patrol chief post is not an appointee or nominee position but is selected by the head of the Department of Homeland Security.
