Special Poll
Border Arrests Steady in December, Reflecting Lowest Levels Since Mid-2020
Arrests for illegal border crossings from Mexico remained largely unchanged in December, according to a senior U.S. official who shared preliminary data Monday. The numbers suggest a continued trend of reduced crossings, even as some anticipated a surge ahead of Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration as president.
Preliminary figures indicate approximately 44,000 arrests were made in December, closely aligning with the 46,612 reported in November. This marks one of the lowest levels of border apprehensions since July 2020, the official said, speaking anonymously because the data has not been officially released.
The figures also reflect a consistent decline, with December representing the sixth consecutive month of arrests falling below the monthly average recorded in 2019. Notably, the final full month of President Joe Biden’s tenure appears likely to have some of the lowest border crossing numbers seen during his administration.
In a statement from the Department of Homeland Security, Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas attributed the reduced arrests to “swift and effective implementation” of asylum restrictions enacted in June. “This sustained success is the result of strong border enforcement, extensive engagement with our foreign partners, and the delivery of safe and lawful pathways that continue to provide humanitarian relief under our laws,” Mayorkas said.
Arrests have plummeted significantly since peaking at 250,000 in December 2023. The decline followed increased enforcement by Mexican authorities and the Biden administration’s introduction of stricter asylum limits.
The Rio Grande Valley in Texas saw an increase in activity, moving up to the second busiest corridor for illegal crossings in December, compared to its fifth-place ranking in November. This shift likely reflects tactical changes by smuggling organizations and Mexican law enforcement. San Diego remained the top corridor for illegal crossings, followed by El Paso, Texas, in third, and Tucson, Arizona, in fourth.
For the second consecutive month, the number of individuals entering the U.S. legally through official border crossings exceeded arrests for illegal crossings. This reflects the Biden administration’s strategy to create and expand legal entry pathways while imposing stricter penalties for those crossing unlawfully. Most legal entries are now facilitated by the CBP One online appointment system, which processes 1,450 entries daily.
President-elect Trump has indicated that his administration will prioritize mass deportations and may reinstate policies requiring asylum-seekers to remain in Mexico while awaiting U.S. court hearings. Trump has also expressed plans to eliminate the CBP One appointment system after taking office on January 20.