Border Shut Tight: Migrants Turn Back as Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Takes Hold

[Social Media]

 

Border Shut Tight: Migrants Turn Back as Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Takes Hold

 

In Ciudad Juárez, the signs of a once-active migration route have all but vanished. Encampments that once lined the Mexican border across from El Paso, Texas, are now empty. Migrants are no longer gathering in large numbers or attempting to cross the harsh desert terrain under cover of night.

 

“The door is closed,” said Yorman Briceño, a Venezuelan migrant who had been staying in a church-run shelter while awaiting a long-delayed asylum appointment in the U.S. His hopes were dashed when President Donald Trump canceled the program just days after taking office. “There’s no more hope for entering legally as long as Donald Trump is there, and anyone telling you otherwise is lying,” he added.

 

 

The Trump administration’s promise to aggressively secure the border appears to be taking effect. Illegal crossings that had surged under President Biden have dropped dramatically, continuing a downward trend that began in the months leading up to the election. Migrant encounters have since declined to levels not seen since the 1960s. Though mass deportations have yet to materialize, the border itself has become a political and logistical success for the Trump administration.

 

 

One of the most striking changes is the deterrent effect of deportations to a high-security prison in El Salvador, a move that has stoked fear among migrants. Even with immigration remaining a contentious political issue, a recent Wall Street Journal poll found that 53% of voters approve of Trump’s handling of border security, compared to 43% who disapprove.

 

At a Border Security Expo in Phoenix, officials hailed recent data as proof of success. Tom Homan, the administration’s border czar, pointed to a figure of just 41 “gotaways” in a single day—a dramatic drop from past numbers. “Forty-one is pretty good,” he said. “But we’ll get to zero. And when we get to zero, we’ll have operational control of the U.S. border for the first time in this nation’s history.”

 

The steep decline in illegal crossings began in Biden’s final months, when arrests fell from a peak of 250,000 per month to around 48,000 in December. That number has since plunged to just over 7,000 in March. Experts note that shifts in migration typically follow policy changes, but the current reversal has been more dramatic than usual. Factors contributing to the decline include Biden-era agreements with Mexico and Panama to strengthen regional enforcement, as well as the dismantling of the CBP One app that migrants had used to seek asylum appointments.

 

Mexican authorities have stepped up enforcement, with police in Chihuahua—home to Ciudad Juárez—increasing patrols and plugging breaches in the border wall. Inspector Eduardo Esparza, who leads these patrols, pointed out homes known to house smugglers and warned that economic downturns could drive locals toward illegal trafficking. “We’ve noticed a big reduction in the flows,” he said.

 

U.S. immigration patterns may now be reverting to what they were decades ago, when Mexican and Guatemalan workers crossed illegally to seek jobs without requesting asylum. Trump’s administration has not yet begun large-scale deportations, but images of imprisoned migrants and the administration’s tough rhetoric are sending a strong message. “We’ve got to find them,” Homan said. “We’ve got to step our game up.”

 

In anticipation of Trump’s promised deportations, the Mexican government has erected nine tent cities along the border. One of them, built on the site where Pope Francis once spoke in Ciudad Juárez, remains largely empty. “Deportations have been much lower than what we were expecting, even below the rates we saw under President Biden,” said Ana Laura Rodela, a shelter manager.

 

Among the few deportees is Leonel Ramos, a 21-year-old who crossed into the U.S. with a friend only to be arrested minutes later. “For now, I don’t want to try crossing again,” he said. His story reflects a broader reality: the border, once seen as a narrow but possible gateway, is now a closed door for many.

 

Adpated by ASEAN Now from The Washington Post  2025-04-23

 

 

[impulse]

Gosh.  Didn't that require an act of Congress?

 

[Mike_Hunt]

Nice....

[Tug]

16 minutes ago, impulse said:

Gosh.  Didn't that require an act of Congress?

 

Legally yes and the legislation was in place to accomplish it trump killed it he wants to ditctate not govern 

[impulse]

13 minutes ago, Tug said:

Legally yes and the legislation was in place to accomplish it trump killed it he wants to ditctate not govern 

 

You mean that legislation that codified and normalized up to 5000 illegals a day before anyone was allowed to act?

 

[Smokey and the Bandit]

Excellent news!! The taxpayers will be happy!

[Yagoda]

42 minutes ago, Tug said:

Legally yes and the legislation was in place to accomplish it trump killed it he wants to ditctate not govern 

Tell us how closing the border to illegal incursions required  Congressional Legislation?

 

The truth screams at you and you turn away.

 

Dont forget to get your Emojinauts going.

[Watawattana]

1 hour ago, Social Media said:

In anticipation of Trump’s promised deportations, the Mexican government has erected nine tent cities along the border. One of them, built on the site where Pope Francis once spoke in Ciudad Juárez, remains largely empty. “Deportations have been much lower than what we were expecting, even below the rates we saw under President Biden,” said Ana Laura Rodela, a shelter manager.

No idea if this stated fact is true or just politics (i.e. lying), but assuming it's true how come this facility isn't totally full of people returned?  Means there's still a bigger burden on the US tax payer than there should be.

[Watawattana]

47 minutes ago, Tug said:

Legally yes and the legislation was in place to accomplish it trump killed it he wants to ditctate not govern 

How come stopping illegal activities requires further legislation?  Doesn't the US already have laws to stop illegal acts?  I'm confused (darn, that emoji's gone now...).

 

I guess the 21 year old mentioned in the OP faced a choice of return or jail and he chose the former.

[thaipo7]

48 minutes ago, Tug said:

Legally yes and the legislation was in place to accomplish it trump killed it he wants to ditctate not govern 

Tug - You are a lost sole.  Every country has borders to keep people out.  Why not the US?  Is your mind really this lame.  Closing the open border make Trump a dictator?  You would be funny if not so stupid.

[Mike_Hunt]

59 minutes ago, Tug said:

Legally yes and the legislation was in place to accomplish it trump killed it he wants to ditctate not govern 

 

Was Biden's EO to forgive student loans dictating or governing? 

 

Was Obama's establishment of DACA dictating or governing? 

 

I look forward to your reply. 

[Mike_Hunt]

Sorry for your loss, lefties. 

[cjinchiangrai]

4 minutes ago, Mike_Hunt said:

Sorry for your loss, lefties. 

They will be coming for you soon enough.

[Mike_Hunt]

6 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

They will be coming for you soon enough.

 

LOL..oh shut up.  

[impulse]

25 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

They will be coming for you soon enough.

 

No, "they" won't.  I don't own a TESLA.

 

[dinsdale]

Not too many T%S comments so far. Shutting down the borders was one of if not Trump's biggest election promise. Biden's/Harris' open border policy has now been closed down. 

[Yagoda]

33 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

They will be coming for you soon enough.

Dream come true. All those years of watching John Milius, accumulating cases of surplus 7.62x39 and shouting Wolverines. Finally.

 

God knows they could have come when ammo was cheaper.

[Tug]

44 minutes ago, thaipo7 said:

Tug - You are a lost sole.  Every country has borders to keep people out.  Why not the US?  Is your mind really this lame.  Closing the open border make Trump a dictator?  You would be funny if not so stupid.

Thaipo I am an American who happens to live very near our southern border who actually knows many Latinos furthermore we had legislation in process that addressed this issue trump killed it.i am a person who believes in rule of law and democracy thease issues are handled by legislation in a democracy.trump is ruling by ditcate he is deporting people without due process that wrong period all stop 🛑 now if after due process it’s proven they are criminals by all means deport I fully support that.it is what it is and trump ain’t a friend to democracy the opposite in fact.

[Tug]

59 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Tell us how closing the border to illegal incursions required  Congressional Legislation?

 

The truth screams at you and you turn away.

 

Dont forget to get your Emojinauts going.

What pray tell is an emojinauts?im sure it’s some kind of slur if so I will consider it a badge of honor because I certainly wouldn’t want to be anything you approve of!lmao !

[cjinchiangrai]

10 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Not too many T%S comments so far. Shutting down the borders was one of if not Trump's biggest election promise. Biden's/Harris' open border policy has now been closed down. 

Also the policy of very other Republican administration in memory. These were people applying for LEGAL refugee status, not illegal immigrants. It sounds like they are accomplishing something but what it actually is, is a humanitarian crisis.

[Hanaguma]

6 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

Also the policy of very other Republican administration in memory. These were people applying for LEGAL refugee status, not illegal immigrants. It sounds like they are accomplishing something but what it actually is, is a humanitarian crisis.

You sure about that? The majority cross the border at a place with no port of entry. An illegal act AFAIK.  They can apply for refugee status at an American consulate or embassy in Mexico.

 

In any case, Trump is doing what the public wants. Support for deporting ALL illegals is something like 56%. A clear answer from the people.

[cjinchiangrai]

1 minute ago, Hanaguma said:

You sure about that? The majority cross the border at a place with no port of entry. An illegal act AFAIK.  They can apply for refugee status at an American consulate or embassy in Mexico.

 

In any case, Trump is doing what the public wants. Support for deporting ALL illegals is something like 56%. A clear answer from the people.

It said so in the OP article. RIF

[Surasak]

Great  shame the UK government fail to act in a similar way. They would sooner up taxes to pay for these illegals to be put up in hotels. Total cowards, frightened of their paymasters, the unions. Gun boats placed at the 12 mile limit with orders to shoot to puncture the boat, unless it is turned around. A forceful deterrent is the only language the illegals understand. One boat sunk and a few lives lost, but billions of £s saved. Yes, I know, I'm a cruel b*****d!

 

[cjinchiangrai]

4 minutes ago, Surasak said:

Great  shame the UK government fail to act in a similar way. They would sooner up taxes to pay for these illegals to be put up in hotels. Total cowards, frightened of their paymasters, the unions. Gun boats placed at the 12 mile limit with orders to shoot to puncture the boat, unless it is turned around. A forceful deterrent is the only language the illegals understand. One boat sunk and a few lives lost, but billions of £s saved. Yes, I know, I'm a cruel b*****d!

 

They were not illegals.

[impulse]

33 minutes ago, Tug said:

Thaipo I am an American who happens to live very near our southern border who actually knows many Latinos furthermore we had legislation in process that addressed this issue trump killed it.i am a person who believes in rule of law and democracy thease issues are handled by legislation in a democracy.trump is ruling by ditcate he is deporting people without due process that wrong period all stop 🛑 now if after due process it’s proven they are criminals by all means deport I fully support that.it is what it is and trump ain’t a friend to democracy the opposite in fact.

 

The legislation you're referring to would have allowed up to 5000 illegals a day before closing the border.  Thank God it didn't pass, or they'd be suing Trump for not allowing the 5000 a day.

 

[thesetat]

2 hours ago, Tug said:

Legally yes and the legislation was in place to accomplish it trump killed it he wants to ditctate not govern 

Leave it to a Trump hater or Dem to twist this into something bad. For years illegals have been crossing undetected into the US. Finally someone, albeit Trump, did something to stop it. And here you are making that into a bad thing. 

 

[jesimps]

2 hours ago, impulse said:

Gosh.  Didn't that require an act of Congress?

 

What for illegally invading the US? Because that's what it is, an invasion without the use of arms. Why should it require an act of congress to repel an invading army?? Law-abiding people, when they want to enter a country apply for a visa whilst in their home country, only criminals and those with nothing to offer crash the border. This instantly makes them a lawbreaker, if they weren't before. Act of congress my rear end.

[impulse]

1 minute ago, jesimps said:

What for illegally invading the US? Because that's what it is, an invasion without the use of arms. Why should it require an act of congress to repel an invading army?? Law-abiding people, when they want to enter a country apply for a visa whilst in their home country, only criminals and those with nothing to offer crash the border. This instantly makes them a lawbreaker, if they weren't before. Act of congress my rear end.

 

Team Biden insisted that he couldn't do it without an act of Congress.  Surely, you're not saying he was lying?

[Tug]

2 minutes ago, thesetat said:

Leave it to a Trump hater or Dem to twist this into something bad. For years illegals have been crossing undetected into the US. Finally someone, albeit Trump, did something to stop it. And here you are making that into a bad thing. 

 

He’s grabbing people off the streets and shipping them to a foreign supermax without trial or due process that’s unacceptable unamerican unchristian unhinged evil and unlawful period all stop 🛑 if after due process and proved then simple deportation or if a crime has been committed then to the appropriate authority to be prosecuted.we are not fascist in the United States that’s why there’s pushback no more no less.are you fascist?do you condone grabbing people off the street and shipping them to a foreign supermax?

[chuang]

2 hours ago, impulse said:

Gosh.  Didn't that require an act of Congress?

 

No Donald Trump is the King 👑