Tom Homan, the border czar under President Trump, steps into the spotlight to announce unprecedented achievements in border control.
According to Fox News, Border Patrol encounters with illegal immigrants have drastically decreased to 229 individuals across the southwest border, marking a significant decline from the approximately 11,000 daily encounters during the Biden administration.
The remarkable transformation in border statistics comes as a direct result of Trump's aggressive immigration policies implemented since his return to office. These measures include the restart of border wall construction, limitations on asylum claims, and the declaration of a national emergency.
The administration's multifaceted approach to border security encompasses various stringent measures aimed at deterring illegal crossings.
The Department of Homeland Security has expanded its expedited removal procedures while removing restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in sensitive locations. Legal action against sanctuary jurisdictions has also intensified as part of the administration's broader enforcement strategy.
Recent data obtained by Fox News Digital reveals a substantial increase in interior ICE arrests. From January 20 to February 8, authorities recorded 11,791 arrests, representing a 137% increase compared to the same period in 2024, which saw 4,969 arrests. The surge in enforcement activities demonstrates the administration's commitment to its immigration objectives.
Border czar Tom Homan expressed his perspective on the current situation, stating:
We got almost 600,000 illegal aliens in the United States with a criminal conviction. So I won't be happy till we eradicate every one of those.
The administration's enhanced border security measures have yielded notable results in various enforcement categories. Arrests of individuals with criminal histories have increased by nearly 100%, rising from 4,526 to 8,993 compared to the previous year. The apprehension of fugitive aliens has shown even more dramatic improvement, with numbers climbing from 2,164 to 5,538, marking a 156% increase.
The number of known "gotaways" - individuals who successfully enter the United States without being apprehended - has decreased substantially. Daily averages for February have dropped to 132 per day, representing a 93% reduction from peak numbers during the Biden administration. This significant decline suggests improved border control effectiveness.
The administration's enforcement strategy has also led to a 59% increase in criminal alien arrests within local jails. This improvement reflects strengthened cooperation between federal immigration authorities and local law enforcement agencies.
The dramatic reduction in illegal border crossings represents one of the lowest levels observed since the Reagan administration. Homan, who began his career as a Border Patrol Agent in 1984, emphasized the historical significance of these numbers, noting their unprecedented nature.
The administration's day-one executive orders have played a crucial role in reshaping border security. These directives terminated Biden-era parole programs while implementing more restrictive measures for asylum seekers. The deployment of military personnel near San Ysidro, California, has further reinforced these efforts through coordination between U.S. Northern Command and Homeland Security.
The Trump administration's border security initiatives have produced measurable results in reducing illegal immigration and strengthening enforcement measures. Border Patrol encounters have decreased from approximately 11,000 to 229 per day, while interior enforcement operations have shown significant improvement across multiple metrics. These developments reflect the administration's commitment to implementing strict immigration policies and maintaining robust border security measures through coordinated efforts between federal agencies and local law enforcement.
