US Border Apprehensions Hit Record Lows in July Amid Enforcement Surge

Border crossings and apprehensions at the U.S. southern border reached historic lows in July 2025, with Customs and Border Patrol encountering only around 24,630 people nationwide and 4,598 arrests at the southwest border—a dramatic decrease compared to previous years. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks credited these record lows to increased immigration enforcement actions under President Donald Trump's second term, including the deployment of troops and the replacement of the CBP One app with CBP Home to encourage self-deportation. Arrests have dropped by over 90% compared to figures from 2022 through 2024, and deportations have ramped up, with nearly 150,000 illegal immigrants arrested since Trump took office. Officials highlighted the impact of these policies on cartel operations, noting disruptions in drug smuggling and criminal alliances due to enhanced border security. Republican leaders hailed the secure border as a significant achievement, while the Trump administration continues to focus on removing violent criminals and targeting sanctuary jurisdictions. These developments reflect a sharp policy shift from the Biden administration's approach, which saw much higher rates of border encounters and releases into the U.S.