All quiet on the southern front: How the border has changed under Trump

The United States-Mexico border may be calmer than usual under President Donald Trump, but it is far from secure, according to a top Border Patrol official.

Since his inauguration on January 20, Trump has enacted significant changes, primarily through executive orders, with a focus on immigration. The Republican leader vowed to “seal the border,” and border crossings have plummeted under his iron fist. Trump’s actions involved enacting a comprehensive ban on asylum at the border and deploying additional military forces to bolster security.

Under the Trump administration, the southern border has experienced a significant decrease in illegal crossings, reaching lows not seen in decades. In February 2025, Border Patrol agents recorded approximately 8,347 apprehensions of migrants attempting to cross the border unlawfully between ports of entry, marking a 94.1 percent decrease compared to February 2024, when the number stood at 140,641.

The Border Is Quiet, But It Is Not Secure

Sean McGoffin, chief patrol agent of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Tucson Sector, told Newsweek that the agency still has work to do.

“We don’t want anything coming across that border, narcotics, weapons, money, any of that type of stuff,” McGoffin said. “Sometimes, you know, we see weird stuff like Cuban cigars or whatever, but the reality is what I try to tell everybody is, you know, one pill will kill, and so we have narcotics across that border.”

This decline in illegal crossings is attributed to the administration’s stringent immigration policies.

One notable measure is reinstating the “Remain in Mexico” policy, officially known as the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), which requires asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico for their U.S. immigration court hearings. Initially implemented in 2019, it was reinstated in January 2025 and has been a critical component in deterring unlawful border crossings.

“The men and women of U.S. Customs and Border Protection continue to aggressively implement the president’s executive orders to secure our borders, and as a result of this leadership, we have achieved historic lows in border apprehensions,” said acting CBP Commissioner Pete Flores.

Brad Jones, a volunteer at Tuscon, Arizona-based nonprofit Humane Borders, told Newsweek that they are concerned that with the increasing difficulty, or even complete inability, to enter the country, migrants might resort to dangerous methods to cross. This desperation could lead them to take perilous routes, which increases the risk of physical harm or death.

“As a humanitarian group, our concern is that with the difficulty, or even the impossibility, of entry in the unforeseeable future, migrants will take desperate measures to cross the border,” Jones told Newsweek.

“By this I mean migrants may choose to cross in very dangerous locations and this kind of crossing behavior is associated with a massive increase in the risk of physical trauma or death. We’ve seen this in the past and would expect to see it happen again going forward. But right now, the border has been and remains quiet.”

Those who do attempt to cross face extreme risks, often with tragic outcomes.

“It’s really tough on us because the human side of this that we, goes unseen, the human stories you have to hear about, you get there in time only for the person to die and run to the hospital, or they die in your arms, or you don’t get there in time,” McGoffin said.

“You see these people, some of the most miserable and terrible conditions, or you’re dealing with a young lady who’s been raped and just distraught, you know what I mean, dealing with kids left by themselves, there’s just a lot to the job that I think people don’t realize, and I think it’s important to note that there’s a human element,” he said.

While the decrease in illegal crossings is notable, the border’s quietness is only one facet of the larger picture. Despite fewer migrant apprehensions, the U.S. faces threats from criminal organizations.

Cartels, ever adaptive to changing circumstances, continue to find new and increasingly sophisticated ways to smuggle narcotics, weapons, and other contraband into the country, such as deploying drones.

The Money

At the southern border, Border Patrol agents face a deadly game with cartels, smugglers and drug mules. As U.S. policies under the Trump administration have become more aggressive, cartels have adapted with new tactics.

The president signed an executive order designating Mexican drug cartels and other groups like the Venezuelan crime syndicate Tren de Aragua (TdA) as terrorist organizations.

Trump’s order states that these groups “threaten the safety of the American people, the security of the United States, and the stability of the international order in the Western Hemisphere.”

“The cartels, they’re not going to just stop making money. They’re going to find other ways and means to do so, and so smuggling narcotics is just another enterprise that they’re involved in, as well as, you know, smuggling of, you know, migrants into the United States illegally,” McGoffin said.

“We still have to be vigilant and prepared for any the unexpected because they will change tactics in how they do business,” he said.

“We’re going to do everything we can to make a dent, and then try to shut it down. That’s our objective, you know, we want to have the border completely secure, we’re going to have the greatest degree of certainty available to us, that we have full awareness of what’s transpiring along the border, and can react appropriately.”

McGoffin supports designating cartels as terrorist organizations, stressing that Mexico’s powerful drug lords and crime syndicates will continue adapting their smuggling tactics.

With drug trafficking remaining a persistent issue, U.S. officials are stepping up enforcement efforts.

What Is Happening At The Border?

In response to these ongoing threats, the Trump administration has deployed thousands of troops to the U.S.-Mexico border, aiming to curb illegal immigration and disrupt the flow of fentanyl—a move widely supported by Republicans.

In Arizona, U.S. troops are just starting to arrive, tasked with increasing border security, deploying drones, and conducting surveillance.

“The military is starting to show up here in Arizona, and we’re going to deploy those. That gives us more eyes on the border, more availability to see and be in front of things, and even provide a bigger consequence when they see more people and more resources along the border,” McGoffin said.

The administration honed in on curbing the flow of fentanyl as it remains one of the leading killers of Americans.

According to the CDC, drug overdose deaths in the U.S. saw a significant increase, rising to 107,941 in 2022 from 52,000 in 2015. Although provisional data for 2023 shows a slight decline in overdose deaths, the overall trend over the past decade indicates a steady rise.

Meanwhile, cartel coyotes and lone wolves are still a threat to penetrate the southern border as they look to infiltrate gaps in the border to keep the cartel’s smuggling business operational.

“They may not have a direct tie to the cartels, but they’re still facilitating the train of the cartels and receiving money from cartel members,” McGoffin said. “And so we look at all of those things, and our biggest—what we’re doing now is we’re prosecuting everybody we possibly can. Everybody that can fall within the means of prosecution will be prosecuted.

“There is no doubt—President Trump’s swift and decisive action saved our nation from the worst border crisis in history,” Tennessee Representative Mark Green told Newsweek.

The chair of the GOP-led Homeland Security Committee called on Congress to provide additional funding and resources to further enforce border security to halt the flow of illicit narcotics.

“Now that President Trump has re-empowered Border Patrol agents and CBP officers to enforce longstanding law and carry out their missions, Congress must ensure they have the resources and tools they need to keep Americans safe and our borders secure,” Green said.

Texas Laid The Blueprint

Texas has emerged as a leader in aggressive border enforcement. Governor Greg Abbott directed state agencies to work together with a singular focus on cracking down on illegal immigration.

Under Abbott’s leadership, the state launched “Operation Lone Star,” a comprehensive effort that combines the Texas National Guard and the Department of Public Safety to apprehend migrants and disrupt cartel operations.

This initiative has led to thousands of arrests and the seizure of millions of dollars worth of drugs. Abbott has vowed to continue these efforts, coordinating closely with the Trump administration to maintain and strengthen border security measures.

Texas officials argue that their actions have created a model for other states to follow despite immigration enforcement being the federal government’s responsibility. With thousands of additional personnel and an increased technological presence along the border, officials say that they have made significant strides in preventing unlawful entries and drug trafficking.

“Texas finally has a partner in the White House to secure the border. The governor directed all state agencies to coordinate with the Trump administration on border security, deployed Department of Public Safety Tactical Strike Teams to support homeland security operations, and authorized the Texas National Guard to make immigration arrests,” Andrew Mahaleris, Abbott’s press secretary, told Newsweek.

“Texas held the line against the Biden-Harris border crisis for the past four years, and Governor Abbott looks forward to continuing to work closely with President Trump and his administration to protect our state and the nation,” he added.

California Faces A Different Reality

California, by contrast, has taken a less aggressive and more measured approach to border security. Governor Gavin Newsom has criticized the Trump administration’s hardline tactics, arguing that a balance must be struck between enforcing immigration laws and protecting human rights.

Despite the sharp decline in illegal crossings, California’s border remains a hot spot for drug trafficking. State and federal agents have increased inspections at ports of entry, leading to record seizures of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Newsom has pledged to work with federal authorities to curb smuggling while ensuring fair treatment of migrants seeking asylum.

California Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones told Newsweek: “The border situation has greatly improved under the new administration with illegal border crossings down by 94 percent compared to last year. That’s a huge improvement. However, serious problems remain, especially with human and drug trafficking. More must be done. This crisis can’t be solved by the administration alone. Congress must act and pass comprehensive immigration reform to secure the border once and for all.”

In 2024, Newsom made significant moves to bolster the California National Guard’s Counterdrug Task Force, increasing its deployment to nearly 400 service members. This surge in resources is part of a broader strategy supported by a $60 million investment over four years to prevent drug trafficking by transnational criminal organizations.

These efforts have proven effective, with notable successes at the border. In March 2025, more than 650,000 fentanyl pills were seized, following a record of $300 million worth of illicit fentanyl taken off the streets since 2023.

“By disrupting the trafficking of the 1,045 pounds of fentanyl so far this year, Cal Guard’s Counter Drug Task Force continues to save countless lives across our state. I cannot thank them enough for their support in keeping deadly fentanyl out of our communities,” Newsom said.

While the U.S.-Mexico border may seem quieter than in previous years, the complex issues surrounding immigration, drug trafficking, and cartel operations remain far from resolved. Border security measures have certainly had an impact, with fewer illegal crossings and significant fentanyl seizures. However, the ongoing efforts to combat cartel smuggling and the humanitarian concerns about migrant safety show the multifaceted nature of the challenge.

A comprehensive approach is crucial—one that balances security with human rights, strengthens international cooperation to tackle transnational crime, and provides a long-term solution to the immigration crisis.

As the U.S. continues to deploy resources and refine policies, the question remains: How will the border evolve in the coming years, and what new strategies will be required to secure it in a rapidly changing world?

The border may never be fully “secure,” but with continued vigilance and a more unified effort between federal and state authorities, the hope is that the most dangerous elements can be mitigated and a more sustainable solution can be reached for the country and those seeking to cross it.