Donald Trump is running a powerhouse administration. Now he’s seeing massive developments.
And Trump was rushed this report from the border that is unprecedented.
In just four quiet hours at the border, only one migrant was caught attempting to cross illegally—and he was met by six federal agents, who told him he would be sent back to Mexico the same day.
The migrant, a 23-year-old Mexican national named Jovani, broke down in tears after being apprehended and voiced his unexpected support for former President Donald Trump.
“I support Trump because he’s someone who seems like he doesn’t like those who commit crimes,” he said.
Jovani added, “I’m in agreement with Trump’s push to deport the bad people. But not the good people.”
This stark shift in border enforcement comes as illegal crossings in the El Paso sector—covering West Texas and New Mexico—have plummeted. Once seeing as many as 1,800 illegal crossings per day in 2023, that number has now dropped to fewer than 100, thanks to the Trump administration’s aggressive crackdown. Even compared to December, when agents were still catching around 277 illegal migrants per day, the decrease is dramatic.
Nationwide, border apprehensions have fallen to an average of just 359 per day, putting the U.S. on track for the lowest monthly border crossings in at least 25 years, according to leaked Customs and Border Protection data.
“It doesn’t matter if it took you 30 days, 40 days, 60 days to make that illegal crossing, we’ll expedite removal and have you in your country of origin within hours,” Border Patrol agent Orlando Marrero-Rubio told The New York Post during a ride-along in the El Paso sector.
Jovani had tried to evade capture, running through the remote desert brush of Sunland Park after scaling the border wall. It was his second attempt at crossing, and he had already paid $7,000 to cartel operatives—known as coyotes—to facilitate his entry.
“I’m very sad because I couldn’t cross, because I couldn’t get to where I wanted to go,” Jovani said, showing The New York Post the cuts on his hands from rappelling down the wall.
He expressed frustration over his impending deportation. “I’m worried about deportations because this is my second time crossing. It’s frustrating because you’re coming here for a good reason. I’m a good guy, I’ve got no tattoos, followed the law, and haven’t done anything wrong to anybody. I just want to work and help my family.”
An electrician by trade, Jovani explained that he was simply trying to make a living and support his loved ones. He claimed that the legal work visa process was too complicated, which is why he attempted to enter illegally.
Marrero-Rubio noted that Jovani’s story reflects what many migrants are saying these days. Unlike under the Biden administration’s “catch and release” policy—where migrants turned themselves in knowing they’d likely be released with a court date—most now attempt to sneak across without getting caught, fully aware that deportations are being carried out swiftly.
With Trump back in office, Border Patrol agents have returned to the front lines in force, reversing the policies of the Biden years when agents were often sidelined, stuck inside processing migrants—many of whom included criminals, gang members, and even suspected terrorists.
During the previous administration, Border Patrol officers described their jobs as mere “baby-sitting,” overwhelmed with processing paperwork while waves of illegal entrants, known as gotaways, slipped past them unchecked.
Now, morale is high as the Trump administration has sealed off the border, deployed thousands of additional troops, restored federal agents to active duty, and ended the disastrous “catch and release” policy.
“It’s a relief for our agents, they don’t feel overwhelmed,” said Marrero-Rubio. “Now we have more agents on the line doing what they’re assigned to do and looking out for making those apprehensions instead of processing.”
Just two years ago, the El Paso sector saw up to 2,500 illegal crossings per day. In the past few weeks, that number has plunged to fewer than 100.
With more manpower and resources, Border Patrol and the military have also reclaimed Mount Cristo Rey—a notorious cartel stronghold near Sunland Park. This mountain, crowned by a three-story-tall statue of Jesus on the Cross, was once a hiding spot for human smugglers, who used its rugged terrain to evade capture.
Before the crackdown, smugglers would aggressively resist capture, throwing rocks at agents and cursing them. Now, the area is firmly under law enforcement control.
Less than a year ago, just 15 miles from Mount Cristo Rey, hundreds of migrants stormed the border and physically clashed with U.S. troops. Today, that same area is quiet, secured by razor wire and extra law enforcement sent by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
Border Patrol agent Claudio Herrera summed up the dramatic shift in border security: “Right now, with everything working out towards our favor, now we have more agents on the line doing what they’re assigned to do.”
For the first time in years, agents can take a much-needed “breather” as they finally return to their mission: securing America’s borders.
