During the Obama administration, arrests along the Mexico border fell to historic lows but, now under President Trump, they're going even lower, with a new report suggesting that it is more difficult to illegally cross today than ever before.
"Survey data, mathematical models, and USBP (U.S. Border Patrol) assessments suggest that a growing share of attempting crossers between POEs (Ports of Entry) are apprehended or interdicted: 55 to 85 percent today (depending on the specific estimate), versus 35 to 70 percent a decade ago," the report, obtained by 1200 WOAI, reads.
The report from the DHS Office of Immigration Statistics goes on to suggest that a much higher share of would-be illegal immigrants are deterred from making repeated attempts after being repatriated.
A decade or two ago, their statistics show that an estimated 90-percent of border crossers would try multiple times.
Former Border Patrol Sector Chief Victor Manjarrez, who now teaches at UTEP, says there is a lot to be proud about in the report.
"The report actually shows how the investment from the year 2000 period to 2017 have started to pay off," he tells Newsradio 1200 WOAI.
He says there are a few factors as to why border crossing is down. One is that the topic of immigration has become front burner. All that news, he says, makes its way to Mexico and Central America.
Also, he says there is less and less rural area along the border, thanks to booming economies in South Texas. The bad guys, he says, exploit the rural gaps.
The report shows that using a smuggler is near universal, compared to 30 years ago, when would-be migrants could do it themselves.
"Meanwhile, average smuggler fees have increased from a few hundred dollars in the 1980s to almost $4,000 today."