U.S. Border Patrol Sees 95% Drop in Illegal Crossings After Trump-Ordered 110,000-Acre NDA, 258 Arrests Last Month

The U.S. Border Patrol has reported a more than 95% decrease in illegal border crossings over the past three years, resulting in a significant reduction in personnel needed for processing migrants. At the peak, about 750 Border Patrol employees handled tens of thousands of illegal entries monthly, totaling approximately 700,000 people in three years. Recent enforcement efforts have been bolstered by the establishment of National Defense Areas (NDAs) along the U.S.-Mexico border, covering roughly 110,000 acres as ordered by former President Donald Trump. These NDAs grant U.S. military personnel authority to patrol, temporarily detain, and search individuals suspected of illegal entry. In the last month alone, the collaboration between U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Defense has led to the arrest and prosecution of 258 illegal migrants within these militarized zones. Authorities have issued warnings that illegal entry into these restricted areas will result in arrest and prosecution, emphasizing ongoing efforts to secure the border.