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On March 4, 2025, former President Donald Trump delivered a speech focusing on illegal immigration and his administration’s efforts to curb border crossings. During the address, Trump highlighted what he called “the most sweeping border and immigration crackdown in American history.” He claimed that illegal border crossings had dropped to historic lows, a statement that is supported by recent data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Trump stated, “As a result of our strong actions, illegal border crossings last month were by far the lowest ever recorded.” According to BBC and NBC fact-checks, this claim is accurate. Data from February 2025 showed only 8,326 encounters at the southwest border with Mexico by U.S. Border Patrol. This figure represents the lowest level of recorded crossings since monthly records began in 2000.
Comparing these numbers to the previous year under the Biden administration, the difference is striking. In February 2024, there were approximately 140,000 encounters at the southern border. While the numbers declined toward the end of Biden’s term—dropping to 96,000 in December 2024—the sharp reduction under Trump’s administration is significant.
Trump also claimed, “Since taking office, my administration has launched the most aggressive immigration enforcement effort in U.S. history.” CBP reported that border enforcement has intensified from January 21 through January 31, 2025. U.S. Border Patrol apprehensions dropped by 85% compared to the same period in 2024.
NBC’s fact-check confirmed that previous records showed the lowest month for border crossings was April 2017, when apprehensions stood at 11,677. However, Trump’s cited number—8,326 in February 2025—would indeed set a new record for the lowest monthly total.
The figures President Trump cited in his speech, including crossings, encounters, or apprehensions, appear to be factually correct, as per fact-checks by several media outlets. This suggests that, at least in terms of numbers, Trump’s immigration policies have led to a dramatic decrease in illegal border crossings since his return to office.