Fact check: What are the current US-Mexico border crossing statistics?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the available analyses, current US-Mexico border crossing statistics show historically low levels of migrant encounters. The most recent data indicates approximately 8,400 apprehensions in April 2025, with daily encounters averaging around 279 per day ^{[1] [2]}. This represents what sources describe as a 93% decrease in daily border encounters under the current Trump administration ^[3].

For broader context, fiscal year 2024 recorded 2,135,005 people entering CBP custody at the U.S.-Mexico border, which was the smallest number since 2021 and 14% fewer than fiscal 2023 ^[4]. The demographic breakdown shows that 90% of migrants came from Mexico or northern Central America, with 84% being single adults ^[2].

The official CBP categorizes encounters into three types: Title 8 Apprehensions, Title 8 Inadmissibles, and Title 42 Expulsions, with demographics tracked as Accompanied Minors, Family Unit Members, Single Adults, and Unaccompanied Alien Children ^[5].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual elements are absent from a simple statistical overview:

• Data collection methodology and definitions are crucial for understanding what constitutes an "encounter" versus other types of border interactions ^[5]
• Seasonal and historical trends that would provide perspective on whether current numbers represent genuine policy success or natural fluctuations
• The role of military deployment and enhanced enforcement measures that may be contributing to the statistical changes ^[2]
• Human rights concerns and the broader impact of immigration policies beyond just numerical statistics ^[2]
• Geographic distribution of crossings and whether enforcement has simply shifted crossing patterns to different locations

The Trump administration and CBP leadership benefit significantly from presenting these statistics as evidence of successful border security policies, potentially influencing how the data is framed and communicated ^[3].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself appears neutral, simply requesting current statistics. However, the sources reveal potential bias in how these statistics are being presented by various stakeholders:

• Extraordinary claims of "99.99% decrease in migrant crossings" appear in official government communications but lack verification through independent sources ^[3]
• The framing of current levels as "the most secure border in American history" represents political messaging rather than objective statistical analysis ^[3]
• Official CBP sources direct users to data portals rather than providing direct statistics, which could indicate either transparency or an attempt to make data less accessible ^{[5] [6]}

The analyses suggest that while border encounters have indeed decreased significantly, the specific percentage claims and superlative language used by government sources should be approached with caution and verified through independent analysis of the raw data.