A U.S. official says arrests for illegally crossing the border from Mexico in December are little changed from a month earlier 15

Border Arrest Trends in December

Analysis of Arrest Numbers

In December, the number of arrests for illegal border crossings from Mexico hovered around 44,000, closely matching the 46,612 arrests recorded in November. This marks a consistent trend of stability, as arrests have remained significantly lower than the monthly averages seen in 2019. The month is set to conclude with border arrests at their lowest point during President Biden’s term, reflecting a broader pattern of reduced crossings over the past six months.

Comparison with Previous Months

When looking back at the last few months, the consistency in arrest numbers is striking. Since June, when significant policy changes were implemented, the monthly figures have stayed below the 2019 averages. This stability suggests that the measures put in place have had a lasting impact on controlling illegal crossings. The anticipated surge in crossings, often expected with political transitions or policy shifts, has not materialized, indicating a level of effectiveness in current strategies.

Impact of Policy Changes

The number of arrests hasn’t changed much, and a major reason for that is because of new rules that were put in place last year. In June, they made the laws about asking for asylum tougher, and that really helped to have fewer people trying to cross the border. Working better with the cops from Mexico has also made a major difference.

These new policies were very good at “stopping illegal crossings”, and at the same time, they made it safer and easier for people who really need asylum to get it. This way, they managed to keep the border secure without forgetting to be humane.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Role

Official Statements and Data

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said that around 44,000 people were arrested in December for crossing the border illegally. The number of people being discovered doing something wrong hasn’t changed much from November to December. In fact, for six months straight, the arrests have been lower than the average in 2019. The Department of Homeland Security thinks this is happening because they started new rules about asking for asylum in June.

It seems President Biden might wrap up his term with the fewest arrests in four years because of these changes.

Enforcement Strategies

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has been focusing on “strong border enforcement measures”. These strategies include collaboration with foreign partners and utilizing technology to manage border security effectively. The agency has been working tirelessly to balance enforcement with the creation of safe and lawful pathways for those seeking humanitarian relief.

Collaboration with Foreign Partners

Collaboration with foreign partners has played a crucial role in managing border security. Mexican officials have increased enforcement within their borders, contributing to the drop in arrests. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to addressing “illegal crossings and enhancing border security measures”. The ongoing cooperation aims to maintain a secure and orderly border environment while providing legal avenues for migrants.

Biden’s Border Policy and Its Effects

Asylum Restrictions and Legal Pathways

With President Biden in charge, how the country handles the border has really shifted, mostly when it comes to who can request safety. The government decided to be “strict on asylum rules” in June to better control the number of people coming in. Since they put these stricter rules in place, there haven’t been as many people trying to cross the border illegally – the numbers are definitely lower than what we used to see.

But, not everyone thinks these changes are good. There’s a lot of discussion whether these rules are fair to people who really need a safe location. At the same time, the government’s working on making it easier to come to the U.S. the legal way. They’ve set up CBP One that’s supposed to make the entire process more organized.

Changes in Illegal Crossing Patterns

The introduction of new policies under Biden has shifted the patterns of illegal crossings. While San Diego continues to be the busiest corridor, regions like the Rio Grande Valley have seen fluctuations in activity. This area has moved up in rankings, likely due to strategic decisions by smuggling groups and increased Mexican enforcement. Such changes illustrate how policy adjustments can influence the dynamics of border crossings, impacting where and how often they occur.

Long-term Implications for Border Security

Biden’s border policies are, apparently, concentrated on making the border area more manageable and predictable by thinking scrupulously about legal ways to get in–and making the rules for asking for asylum tougher. The situation is: they must find a middle ground where they’re tough on enforcing these rules but still remember to be kind and fair to the individuals, or people, who are coming here seeking protection.

These policies are still changing, and thinking through the complexities of if they’re working will come down to: seeing if they can keep the border secure, without forgetting the needs of people who are desperate for a safe place to live.

Regional Variations in Border Crossings

San Diego is always busy because it’s near big cities and known paths used by smugglers, making it a main spot for illegal border crossings that continue without stopping. The area’s layout and the important border setup attract a lot of migrants and the people trying to enforce the laws. However, even with more guards watching over the location, the strikingly large number of people crossing the border in San Diego shows the tough situation that the officials have to deal with.

Shifts in the Rio Grande Valley

Lately, the Rio Grande Valley has seen a lot of changes in how people are trying to sneak into the country. It used to not get much attention, but now it’s the second most popular location for people to try to go across the border without permission. Smugglers have noticed that the area’s not looked at as carefully, so they’re sending more people that way.

With its large and fraught land, it’s tough for the border guards to keep up. They’re always trying to understand the new moves of the smugglers and the people trying to get across.

El Paso and Tucson’s Role in Border Security

As I begin to end my thoughts: I endeavor to explain how “El Paso and Tucson” are really important for keeping the border safe. Are you aware that El Paso gets a lot of migrants coming through because it’s right on a main path they travel? And Tucson might not have as many people coming through as El Paso does, but it’s still extremely important for stopping people from crossing the border illegally.

Both places are doing a lot, such as using advanced tools–having many officers around–and working with other countries, to stop unauthorized people from getting in. This is all part of a major plan to keep the U.S. border safe, secure, and peaceful. And the number of people trying to cross the border changes often, and that’s because of changes in laws and how countries decide to successfully manage the situation of migration.

In 2024, fewer people tried to cross into the U.S. from Mexico, which proves how complicated and always-changing this entire situation is.

Wrapping Up Biden’s Border Policy

We’ve made it to the end of Biden’s time in office, and it looks like the numbers at the border are staying pretty stable. We didn’t see any major spikes in arrests in December, which was unexpected because a lot of people thought there would be a large increase. With around 44,000 arrests, the numbers aren’t really different from what we saw in November.

It appears like the situation at the border just paused for a short time. This is the sixth straight month that arrests have been lower than the average in 2019, and that’s worth mentioning. Biden’s strategy, which combines tough asylum rules with ways for people to enter legally, appears to have kept everything balanced. Looking forward, we will see if these policies can stand the test of time with a different group of people leading.

Changes are always happening, but at this moment, the arrest numbers really show straight about what’s going on.