Explore the unprecedented decline in illegal crossings at the U.S. southern border in September 2024, a pivotal moment shaped by the Biden administration’s aggressive asylum policies and strategic use of technology like the CBP One app.
The landscape of migration at the U.S. southern border underwent a significant transformation in September 2024. New data reveals that illegal crossings plummeted to the lowest point of the Biden presidency, signaling a profound impact from the administration’s stringent new asylum policies. This dramatic shift represents a crucial development in ongoing debates surrounding immigration and border security, offering a moment of reflection on policy effectiveness and long-term implications.
The Numbers Tell a Story: A Dramatic Decline
According to internal Department of Homeland Security statistics, U.S. Border Patrol agents recorded nearly 54,000 apprehensions of migrants who crossed between legal entry points along the southern border with Mexico in September 2024. This figure represents the lowest monthly tally of illegal border crossings during President Biden’s administration and is significantly lower than previous peaks. For context, it is a 78% drop from the record high of 250,000 illegal border crossings observed in December, and also lower than the Biden-era low of approximately 56,000 in July.
The decrease extends beyond monthly figures. Fiscal Year 2024 (FY2024) saw a substantial reduction in unlawful border crossings under the Biden administration. Border Patrol recorded over 1.5 million migrant apprehensions in FY2024, a notable decrease compared to the record high of 2.2 million in Fiscal Year 2022. Preliminary data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) further confirms that nationwide, September 2024 recorded 26,002 illegal border crossers, a staggering 92.4% drop from September 2023’s record high of 341,392, and significantly lower than September 2022’s 272,338, as reported by The Center Square. The average number of encounters per month during the last three months of FY2024 was even lower than the monthly average for FY2019, the last full comparable year before the pandemic, according to official government reports from CBP.gov.
The decline was not confined to the southern border. On the northern border, CBP’s expanded enforcement efforts resulted in a 50% reduction in Border Patrol encounters from June to September. Even the estimated number of migrant “gotaways”—individuals who crossed the border without encountering CBP—decreased approximately 60% from FY2023 to FY2024, demonstrating a widespread impact of the new measures.
Biden’s Asylum Crackdown: A Policy Shift Explained
The dramatic reduction in illegal crossings is largely attributed to President Biden’s sweeping asylum crackdown, which took effect in June. This policy invoked presidential powers to disqualify most individuals entering the country illegally from seeking asylum. Designed initially as a temporary measure, the administration made its deactivation threshold harder to meet, suggesting it will likely remain in place indefinitely. Vice President Kamala Harris has also pledged to continue and potentially strengthen the measure if elected president.
This stringent approach reflects a significant rightward shift in border policy by Democrats, a stance that would have been “unthinkable in 2020,” when the party faced pressure to reverse the Trump administration’s hardline immigration rules, according to reporting by CBS News. This shift aligns with a marked increase in public support for tougher immigration measures among the American populace.
The policy has yielded tangible results in terms of migrant processing. Since the partial ban on asylum claims took effect, there has been an 80% drop in migrant releases into the U.S. More than 70% of migrant adults and families apprehended by Border Patrol have been deported since the crackdown began, a substantial increase from 25% in May. Overall, DHS completed over 700,000 removals and returns in FY2024, the highest number since 2010.
“Carrots and Sticks”: Legal Pathways and Enforcement
The Biden administration has paired its asylum restrictions with the expansion of legal migration channels, a strategy often described as “carrots and sticks.” A key component of this approach is the CBP One app, which has become the primary gateway into the American asylum system for those seeking legal entry. In September, CBP processed over 44,600 individuals who had secured appointments via the app. Since its introduction in January 2023 through September 2024, more than 852,000 individuals have successfully scheduled appointments to present at ports of entry, offering a safer alternative to unlawful crossings.
Another successful legal pathway is the CHNV parole processes, which allows nationals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to fly to the U.S. if they have American sponsors. Through September 2024, over 531,000 individuals from these countries arrived lawfully and were granted parole. The success of these programs is evident in the data, with encounters of CHNV nationals between ports of entry dropping by 99%.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has defended the asylum restrictions, challenging critics to find an “alternative proposal” and calling the situation at the border before the policy change “unworkable.” He emphasized the public’s demand for “order” at the border, a sentiment that the new policies aim to address.
Beyond Migration: CBP’s Broader Mission
While managing migration remains a core focus, CBP’s responsibilities extend to safeguarding communities from illicit trade and threats. The agency significantly increased its enforcement efforts against transnational criminal organizations in FY2024. For instance, in the last two fiscal years, CBP has seized nearly 50,000 pounds of fentanyl, equivalent to more than 2 billion lethal doses. Operation Apollo, a multi-jurisdictional initiative, alone netted over 19,300 pounds of fentanyl and 128,300 pounds of methamphetamine. These efforts highlight CBP’s role in combating the flow of dangerous narcotics into the U.S.
CBP also plays a crucial role in facilitating lawful trade and travel. In September 2024, the agency processed over 2.9 million entry summaries valued at more than $296.1 billion. Innovations like the Global Entry and Mobile Passport Control (MPC) apps streamline the travel process, enhancing efficiency at ports of entry. Furthermore, CBP is at the forefront of eliminating goods made with forced labor from supply chains, stopping 425 shipments valued at over $65 million in September due to suspected use of forced labor.
Long-Term Implications and the Road Ahead
The dramatic reduction in illegal border crossings in September 2024 has provided Democrats with a much-needed political win on immigration, especially with the presidential election approaching. Immigration has been a defining issue in the 2024 race, with former President Donald Trump pledging mass deportations if he returns to the White House.
Despite the positive numbers from the administration’s perspective, the asylum crackdown remains controversial. Republican lawmakers have derided it as an “election gimmick,” while migrant advocates condemn it as a “draconian policy” and are challenging its legality in court. The long-term efficacy and ethical implications of making a seemingly temporary measure indefinite will continue to be a subject of intense debate and legal scrutiny. The balancing act between securing the border and upholding humanitarian principles will undoubtedly shape future immigration policy for years to come.
