EL PASO, Texas - Vice President JD Vance made headlines on March 5, 2025, with his remarks delivered at the U.S.-Mexico border, emphasizing the Trump administration's stringent immigration policies. This visit followed President Trump’s recent address to Congress, where he touted his administration's actions to combat illegal immigration.
Vance was accompanied by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard as they toured Eagle Pass, Texas, noting the current situation at the border. Vance's trip is significant as he is the highest-ranking member of the administration to visit since Trump took office again this January. The Vice President stressed the importance of empowering border patrol agents to stop illegal crossings during his remarks. "All we needed to do was empower these guys to do their job," said Vance, referring to the Border Patrol agents.
The government’s recent focus on immigration came alongside the announcement of up to 5,050 additional troops to be deployed at the border, even as statistics show border crossings have plummeted. Recent Border Patrol data showed only about 8,300 apprehensions of migrants unlawfully crossing the border between ports of entry for February, marking the lowest figures recorded since FY 2000. January figures reveal around 29,100 encounters, down significantly from December's high of approximately 47,300. With this decline, it seems Trump’s rigorous immigration actions, coupled with Mexico’s tighter enforcement, have correlated with lower crossing rates. Adam Isacson, national security expert at the Washington Office on Latin America, remarked, "We have never seen numbers this low."
During his address, Trump proclaimed on his Truth Social account, "The invasion of our country is OVER," signifying his administration's renewed efforts against immigration. The sharp drop from previous months coincided with stricter local enforcement policies and the administration’s insistence on sustained military presence at the border. Meanwhile, former President Biden's executive order curtailing asylum applications also contributed to the decrease. Implemented last summer, this directive restricted applications between ports of entry, pushing for asylum seekers to make appointments through the now-defunct CBP One app, which had previously made legal entry easier for some migrants.
Vance’s visit also coincided with the enforcement of new tariffs on goods imported from Mexico and Canada, reaching 25% effective March 4, 2025. The administration claims these tariffs are aimed primarily at combating drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl, across the border, sending messages of deterrence to potential smugglers. Trump noted significant volumes of drugs still penetrating the border, stating, "Drugs are still pouring our country from Mexico and Canada at very high and unacceptable levels.”
Despite the tougher border policies, there are concerns about how sustainable these low crossing numbers will prove to be. Previous surges at the border, including spikes seen during Biden’s tenure, caution against complacency. Experts fear volatility may return as migrants adjust their strategies with changing policies. Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh from the Migration Policy Institute pointed out how many migrants find themselves caught up in this ever-evolving immigration environment, stating they are now likely stuck in "wait-and-see" mode, unsure how to access humanitarian protection.
The administration has continually pointed to lower crossing numbers as victories, but as Tomas Milton, professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, highlighted, the military deployment at the border might serve as only temporary relief. He cautioned, "It is true they are detaining fewer people and there is decrease in migrant flows. But the history of militarization tells us there can be new peaks because the root causes are not being addressed."
With regard to drug enforcement, the logistics of cooperation with Mexico's new administration under President Claudia Sheinbaum — who has deployed 10,000 troops to her country’s northern border — present complex dynamics for U.S.-Mexico relations and could affect overall immigration policies significantly. The Sheinbaum government recently extradited 29 kingpins tied to cartels just days before the tariffs went live, demonstrating the tight interconnection between trade and drug enforcement.
Looking forward, as military resources intensify along the borders and new tariffs take effect, both administrations tread carefully, attempting to balance effective enforcement against persistent humanitarian issues posed by migration. Vance asserted the administration's resolve during his visit: “The way to invest is to have your factory and your facility here,” echoing Trump's broader economic vision as these trade conversations continue to shape the fabric of border policy.
The high costs of Texas's border militarization, which have surpassed $11 billion, bring additional scrutiny and questions about the overarching strategy. Local leaders have expressed growing concern about impacts from aggressive law enforcement, including taxpayer impacts and public safety threats due to pursuit tactics.
Despite the current optimism from the administration's push, many stakeholders wonder how long this trend of lower migration rates will hold firm amid the challenges of enforcement policies and the broader impacts of cross-border relations. The coming months will be pivotal as the administration aims to solidify its approach to both immigration and border security.