Illegal border crossings at the U.S. southwest border reached a record low in March 2025, marking the second straight month of historic declines under the Trump administration.
Data released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) shows that just 7,181 individuals were apprehended attempting to cross the southern border illegally between ports of entry last month—down from 8,346 in February and a staggering 137,473 during the same period in 2024 under President Biden.
Acting CBP Commissioner Pete Flores called it a historic achievement, pointing out that total apprehensions for all of March were fewer than those recorded in the first two days of March 2024.
Flores credited the agents on the ground, stating their “vigilant service” is playing a vital role in protecting the country and stopping unlawful entry. The agency says the daily nationwide average of border apprehensions in March was just 264, down from 330 in February, which had previously marked the lowest average in CBP history.
President Trump praised the results in a post on Truth Social, writing that border crossings hit an all-time record low. Officials also noted that the drop represents a 94 percent decline compared to the average daily crossings in March 2024, which reached 4,488.
According to CBP, several recent actions contributed to this decline. The agency launched the CBP Home mobile app in March, giving illegal immigrants a new way to notify authorities of their plans to leave the country. This update complies with Executive Order 14159, titled “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” which directs federal agencies to restore control at the border—one of several executive actions President Trump signed on his first day back in office.
Meanwhile, the administration has introduced stricter enforcement measures. A new DHS policy now requires illegal immigrants who have been in the country for more than 30 days to register with federal authorities, including fingerprinting. Those arriving after April 11 have 30 days to comply. Failure to register could result in imprisonment or fines. Exceptions are made for those with green cards, valid work authorizations, or individuals already facing deportation.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem echoed the administration’s stance, urging illegal immigrants to leave the country voluntarily. “If you leave now, you may have the opportunity to return and enjoy our freedom,” she said. Noem added that the administration is fully enforcing immigration laws and will not make selective decisions about which laws to apply.
CBP has also taken steps to remove individuals paroled into the country with known security risks. As of April 11, more than 6,300 individuals who entered under parole in or after 2023—many with criminal records or appearing in the FBI’s terrorist screening database—had their parole revoked.
Field operations at ports of entry also recorded lower numbers. The Office of Field Operations reported an average of 673 encounters per day in March, down from 693 in February and far below the 3,464 daily average seen in March 2024.
While illegal crossings are down, drug seizures are up. CBP reported seizing 760 pounds of fentanyl in March, a 24 percent increase from February. Combined seizures of fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana rose 47 percent compared to the previous month.
In addition to enforcement, the Trump administration is continuing construction of the border wall. In March, CBP awarded the first construction contract of Trump’s second term. Secretary Noem also issued a waiver of environmental laws this month to accelerate the construction of 2.5 miles of new wall in California.
CBP described the progress in its recent report as a turning point in the nation’s border security effort. The agency said the message is now clear: if someone enters the country illegally, they will face prosecution and deportation.