Border detentions in December remain stable, reaching the lowest levels since 2020

Border detentions for unauthorized crossings from Mexico into the United States in December showed little change from the previous month, maintaining the lowest levels since July 2020. A senior U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official, speaking on condition on condition of anonymity, revealed Monday that December detentions are expected to finish near November’s total of 46,612. The official added that preliminary data suggests around 44,000 arrests earlier this month.

December marks the sixth consecutive month that detentions at the southern border were lower than the monthly averages seen in 2019, signaling a continued decline in unauthorized crossings. The official also noted that President Joe Biden’s final month in office is on track to record the lowest incarceration levels of his four years in office.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) attributed the sustained decline to effective policy changes. DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, in a statement, credited the “swift and effective implementation” of asylum restrictions introduced in June. He pointed out that the December data is once again in line 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 deliver humanitarian aid into our countries,” Mayorkas said.

The decline in incarcerations has been significant over the past year. December 2023 saw an all-time high of 250,000 arrests, but the numbers were halved after Mexican authorities increased border controls. They were further reduced after the Biden administration implemented tougher asylum restrictions earlier this year.

Geographically, the busiest regions for border crossings have seen changes in activity. Texas’ Río Grande Valley, which was the second-most active corridor for unauthorized crossings in December, previously ranked fifth in November. Officials suggest the change reflects strategic adjustments by human trafficking networks and strengthened law enforcement in Mexico. Meanwhile, San Diego remained the busiest crossing point, followed by El Paso, Texas, and Tucson, Arizona.

For the second month in a row, the number of migrants entering the United States legally through official border crossings is expected to exceed those detained for unauthorized crossings. This trend highlights the Biden administration’s focus on expanding legal migration pathways while enforcing more stringent measures against irregular crossings.

Much 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 key component of the administration’s immigration strategy.

The Biden administration’s approach contrasts sharply with that of former President Donald Trump, who prioritized mass deportations and restrictive border policies during his term. The Trump administration had also implemented the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which required asylum seekers to await hearings in Mexico in U.S. immigration court.

In September, Trump announced plans to eliminate the CBP One nomination system if he returns to office, signaling a return to his tougher immigration policies.