Unlawful crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border have dropped to their lowest point since the early 1970s, according to internal federal data obtained by CBS News.

In fiscal year 2025, U.S. Border Patrol reported nearly 238,000 apprehensions, marking a dramatic decrease from the record 2.2 million recorded in 2022 under the Biden administration. Officials say the decline reflects the Trump administration’s aggressive border enforcement measures, which have reshaped migration flows in just a few months.

Over 60% of 2025 apprehensions occurred during the final months of the Biden presidency, before President Trump’s new policies took full effect. Since his return to office, the administration has militarized sections of the southern border, suspended most asylum claims, and launched a nationwide deportation campaign targeting undocumented immigrants.

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson credited Trump’s actions for the sharp decline, saying the President had “delivered on his promise to secure the border.”

But critics, including the ACLU and several Democratic leaders, have denounced the crackdown as inhumane and unconstitutional, arguing it violates asylum protections and targets non-criminal migrants. Large protests have erupted in cities like Chicago and Los Angeles following high-profile immigration raids.

Despite the controversy, the effect on migration is undeniable. Shelters in border cities such as El Paso report record lows in arrivals. “We’re just not seeing the people,” said John Martin, who manages a local shelter network.

Migration analysts describe the current moment as a “new normal” for border enforcement — one defined by record-low crossings, heightened security, and deep political division over how far the U.S. should go to control its southern border.