Customs and Border Protection: Apprehensions on southern US border dropped drastically in January

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol on Tuesday reported a drastic drop in the apprehension of illegal migrants in January along the southern U.S. border, following the implementation of major changes to the agency.

The charges follow executive orders President Donald Trump signed to try to increase security at the  border and stemming the flow of illegal immigration. Trump also declared a national emergency at the border, allowing active duty military and National Guard troops to be used to support CBP law enforcement activities.

Border Patrol highlighted an 85% drop in apprehensions on the southern border from Jan. 21 through Jan. 31, 2025, compared to the same time last year. 

“The men and women of U.S. Customs and Border Protection are aggressively implementing the President’s Executive Orders to secure our borders," Acting CBP commissioner Pete Flores said. "These actions have already resulted in dramatic improvements in border security."

The number of migrants crossing into the U.S. illegally at the southern border started to decline after President Biden last summer cracked down on asylum claims, according to internal Department of Homeland Security statistics obtained by CBS News.

The CBP report Tuesday also states that in the 11 days after Jan. 20, when Trump took office again, illegal migrants apprehended at ports of entry declined by 93%, compared to the 11 days before Inauguration Day.

"The reduction in illegal aliens attempting to make entry into the U.S., compounded by a significant increase in repatriations, means that more officers and agents are now able to conduct the enforcement duties that make our border more secure and our country safer," Flores also said.

The agency additionally said that CBP and military troops have “dramatically increased” patrolling the southern border, ABC News reported.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.