Illegal border crossings have dropped to levels not seen in decades following President Trump’s intensified crackdown, according to newly released federal data.

Early data from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) shows that only 359 illegal migrants are being processed daily at the southern border, marking a 90% decrease compared to the same period last year, as reported by the New York Post.

Internal documents shared with the Post reveal that CBP recorded 3,953 illegal migrant encounters through February 11. If this trend continues, total crossings for the month could end up near or below 10,000, a figure similar to April 2017, when about 11,000 individuals were apprehended. That month had previously been one of the lowest monthly totals in recent history.

“That’s a very, very low number,” said John Gramlich, the associate director at the Pew Research Center, noting that at this time in 2024, officers processed over 4,800 migrants per day.

Mark Krikorian, the executive director at the Center for Immigration Studies, said, “If you kind of break down the numbers … we haven’t had numbers this low since the 1960s.”

Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland of Terrell County, Texas, similarly described the drop in crossings as a “relief,” highlighting the stark contrast with the high numbers previously seen during the cooler months.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement escalated operations under this crackdown, resulting in 11,000 arrests of illegal migrants within just 18 days.

Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks attributed the success to stronger leadership under President Trump, stating that agents “know how to secure the border” but required a commander in chief who would support and empower them.

Federal agencies have combined policy changes with cooperation from Mexico, which deployed 10,000 troops to its northern border after the White House threatened significant tariffs unless stronger deterrence measures were implemented.