Border detentions for unauthorized crossings from Mexico into the United States in December showed little change compared to the previous month, maintaining the lowest levels since July 2020. A high-ranking official from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed Monday that December detentions are projected to end near November’s total of 46,612. The official added that preliminary figures suggest around 44,000 apprehensions as of earlier this month.
December marks the sixth consecutive month where detentions at the southern border were below monthly averages seen in 2019, signaling a continued decline in unauthorized crossings. The official also noted that the final month of President Joe Biden’s term is on track to record the lowest detention levels of his four years in office.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has attributed the sustained decrease to effective policy changes. DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, in a statement, credited the “rapid and effective implementation” of asylum restrictions introduced in June. He emphasized that December’s figures once again aligned with the administration’s 2019 benchmarks, which aimed to reduce unauthorized entries.
“This sustained success is the result of strong enforcement of immigration laws, extensive collaboration with international partners, and the expansion of safe, legal pathways that provide humanitarian relief in our countries,” Mayorkas stated.
The drop in detentions has been significant over the past year. December 2023 saw an all-time high of 250,000 apprehensions, but the numbers were halved after Mexican authorities increased border enforcement. They were reduced further after the Biden administration implemented stricter asylum restrictions earlier this year.
Geographically, the busiest regions for border crossings have seen shifts in activity. The Río Grande Valley in Texas, which was the second most active corridor for unauthorized crossings in December, had previously ranked fifth in November. Officials suggest the change reflects strategic adjustments by human smuggling networks and enhanced law enforcement in Mexico. Meanwhile, San Diego remained the busiest crossing point, followed by El Paso, Texas, and Tucson, Arizona.
For the second consecutive month, the number of migrants entering the U.S. legally through official border crossings is expected to surpass those detained for unauthorized crossings. This trend highlights the Biden administration’s focus on expanding legal migration pathways while enforcing stricter measures against irregular crossings.
Much of the legal migration is facilitated through CBP One, an online appointment system that allows migrants to schedule entry. The platform processes up to 1,450 appointments per day and has become a critical component of the administration’s immigration strategy.
The Biden administration’s approach contrasts starkly with that of former President Donald Trump, who prioritized mass deportations and restrictive border policies during his tenure. Trump’s administration had also implemented the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which required asylum seekers to await their U.S. immigration court hearings in Mexico.
In September, Trump announced plans to eliminate the CBP One appointment system should he return to office, signaling a shift back to his stricter immigration policies.
