Border Security: A Case Study

This is evident, particularly in securing its southern border with Mexico. The claim that Trump’s policies have dramatically reduced illegal immigration is supported by recent data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which paints a stark picture of declining border crossings. However, the broader implications of these policies, their methods, and their long-term sustainability deserve a deeper examination.

A Campaign Promise in Action

Border security was a cornerstone of Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, echoing his rhetoric from previous terms. Upon taking office in January 2025, Trump swiftly implemented measures to curb illegal immigration, including enhanced border patrols, military deployments, and a hardline stance on deportations. These policies have yielded immediate results, with CBP reporting a record-low 7,181 illegal border apprehensions in March 2025, a 95% drop from 137,473 in March 2024. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Acting CBP Commissioner Pete Flores have hailed these figures as evidence of a restored border security framework, contrasting sharply with the Biden administration’s average of 155,000 monthly crossings. This essay explores the mechanisms behind this decline, their effectiveness, and the broader implications for U.S. immigration policy, drawing comparisons with European border challenges.

Historical Context: The Evolution of U.S. Border Policy

The U.S.-Mexico border has long been a flashpoint for immigration debates. In the 1990s and 2000s, most migrants were Mexican adults seeking work, but by the 2010s, Central American families and unaccompanied minors fleeing violence and poverty became more prominent. Under Trump’s first term (2017–2021), policies like the Migrant Protection Protocols (“Remain in Mexico”) and border wall construction aimed to deter crossings, with mixed results. Apprehensions dropped to a 45-year low in 2017 but rose again by 2019, reaching over 970,000 along the southwest border.

The Biden administration (2021–2025) faced unprecedented migration surges, with 2.2 million encounters in 2022 alone, driven by global displacement and relaxed enforcement policies. Tools like the CBP One app, which allowed migrants to schedule asylum appointments, processed over 936,500 individuals by December 2024 but were criticized for enabling mass entry. Trump’s 2025 return to office marked a sharp reversal, reinstating and expanding restrictive measures. His administration’s early actions—ending CBP One for new entrants, suspending refugee programs, and deploying military forces—set the stage for the March 2025 figures.

Core Policies and Their Impact

Trump’s 2025 border strategy rests on several pillars:

Enhanced Enforcement and Military Deployment: CBP, supported by the Department of Defense, has increased patrols, with U.S. Army soldiers and National Guard units stationed at key border points like Eagle Pass, Texas. The designation of federal lands along the border as “National Defense Areas” has given the military authority to seize illegal crossers, militarizing a 60-foot buffer zone across 700 miles of the border in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. This has reduced daily apprehensions in areas like Eagle Pass from over 1,200 to as low as 18, with “gotaways” (undetected crossings) nearing zero in some sectors.

Reinstatement of “Remain in Mexico” and Asylum Restrictions: The Migrant Protection Protocols, reintroduced in January 2025, require asylum seekers to wait in Mexico during U.S. immigration hearings, deterring frivolous claims. A sweeping asylum ban and the revocation of legal status for migrants entering via Biden-era programs (e.g., CBP One) have further tightened access.

Mass Deportations and International Cooperation: The Trump administration has prioritized deportations, removing over 700,000 individuals in fiscal year 2024 and targeting gang members and violent offenders. Cooperation with Mexico, which has bused migrants south to prevent caravans from reaching the border, has been pivotal. El Salvador has also become a key ally, accepting deported gang members into its “mega prison.”

Border Wall Expansion: Trump resumed border wall construction, reversing Biden’s suspension. While experts argue walls are often bypassed, CBP data suggests reduced apprehensions in fortified areas.

These measures have produced tangible results. CBP’s March 2025 data shows a daily average of 264 apprehensions, a 94% drop from March 2024’s 4,488. The Los Angeles Times reported near-empty border regions in California, with migrant shelters closing due to lack of demand.

Central American caravans, once a symbol of unchecked migration, have largely disbanded, deterred by the administration’s clear messaging: “The border is closed.”

Successes and Deterrence

The statistics are undeniable: Trump’s policies have achieved a historic reduction in illegal crossings. CBP’s Pete Flores attributes this to “tireless dedication” and a clear deterrence message, while Border Patrol morale has reportedly soared. U.S. Border Czar Tom Homan, a veteran agent, called the March 2025 numbers unprecedented in his 41-year career. The administration’s focus on cartels—seizing drugs and prosecuting smugglers—has also disrupted criminal networks profiting from migration.

The suspension of refugee programs and revocation of statuses for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela have stranded thousands in Mexico, where they face mounting problems. Mexico’s asylum system, strained and underfunded, struggles to accommodate those turned away.

This means that the lure of marching north has lost its luster.

Lessons for Europe and Beyond

The U.S. experience under Trump offers a telling contrast to the European Union’s ongoing struggles with external border protection. The EU faces complex challenges, including maritime crossings in the Mediterranean and land routes through the Balkans, compounded by political divisions among member states. While Trump’s policies demonstrate that strong enforcement can reduce crossings, they also highlight trade-offs: humanitarian costs, strained international relations, and the need for sustained political will.

In Europe, leaders like Hungary’s Viktor Orbán have praised Trump’s approach, advocating for physical barriers and stricter asylum rules. However, the EU’s legal framework, rooted in the Geneva Convention and human rights law, limits such measures. The U.S. benefits from geographic isolation, with Mexico as a buffer, whereas Europe’s proximity to conflict zones like Syria and Sub-Saharan Africa drives continuous migration pressure. Nonetheless, Trump’s success in leveraging bilateral agreements with Mexico suggests that regional cooperation could bolster EU efforts, such as deals with Turkey or North African states.

The broader lesson is that border security requires clarity of purpose. Trump’s unambiguous stance—“if you cross illegally, you will be deported”—has reshaped migrant behavior, as evidenced by disbanded caravans. Europe’s mixed messaging, balancing humanitarian obligations with security, often undermines deterrence. Yet, the U.S. model’s reliance on mass deportations and militarization may not be fully replicable in a European context, where years of brain-washing the public and legal constraints demand a new approach.

The Trump administration’s migration policies have achieved a remarkable reduction in illegal border crossings, with CBP’s March 2025 data marking a historic low. Enhanced enforcement, military involvement, and international cooperation have reshaped the southern border, fulfilling a key campaign promise.

As California Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones noted, while crossings are down 94%, challenges like human trafficking and drug smuggling persist, requiring comprehensive reform. The question remains whether Trump’s model can sustain its gains without addressing root causes like Central American instability. For now, the U.S. demonstrates that border protection is feasible with political resolve.