Trump, While cities like Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland continue to experience heated protests over immigration policies, the atmosphere at the Texas border has changed dramatically. In El Paso, a city that once symbolized the intensity of the migrant crisis, the streets are now strikingly quiet. Just a year ago, the area around El Paso’s historic Sacred Heart Catholic Church overflowed with thousands of migrants seeking food, shelter and safety. More than 2,500 people once camped outside the church, lining the sidewalks with blankets provided by local charities. Today, only a few parishioners pass through its doors. The nearby parks and shelters that once housed exhausted travelers are now mostly empty. In late 2022, El Paso declared a state of emergency when the migrant influx overwhelmed local shelters. But since President Donald Trump’s return to office in January, the flow of migrants to the Texas border has slowed dramatically. The trend extends along the entire 1,900 mile US Mexico border, from California’s Pacific Coast to the Gulf of Mexico. Government data shows that arrests of people crossing the border illegally are at their lowest level in five decades. In September, only 11,647 people were detained, compared with more than 101,000 the same month in 2024 and 269,700 in 2023.
Calm Returns to Texas Border as Trump Immigration Policies Take Hold
Organizations that once supported large numbers of migrants have also scaled back. Annunciation House, a well known volunteer network, previously managed 22 shelters in the region. Now, only two remain open, hosting around 15 to 20 people each night. Many of those staying are migrants preparing to leave the country after losing work permits or temporary protection. Director Ruben Garcia explained that some are struggling to cover rent after Trump ended several humanitarian programs. For many residents near the Texas border, the new calm is a welcome change. Demesio Guerrero, a naturalized US citizen originally from Mexico, said the border had been in total chaos during the Biden administration. He praised Trump for restoring order, saying the president did what he had to do. The White House has called the results a success. Homeland Security officials say that for six months, every undocumented migrant arrested has either been detained or deported. Spokesperson Abigail Jackson said Trump’s administration is reversing what she described as pro illegal immigration policies from the previous government and has achieved real border security.
Experts attribute the lower crossing numbers to multiple factors, including tougher asylum laws, Mexico’s increased enforcement against migrant caravans and expanded surveillance operations supported by the US military. Courts have also stepped up prosecutions of smugglers and traffickers. Still, not everyone is celebrating. Some El Paso residents say they support tighter border security but feel uneasy about aggressive deportations. Community leaders have voiced concern that many long time residents, with families on both sides of the border, are being removed despite having no criminal records. Data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse shows that over 70 percent of the 60,000 people held in detention had no prior offenses. Across the Texas border, mixed emotions remain. Some view the quiet streets as proof of restored order. Others see them as a reminder of the human cost of harsh enforcement.
source:BBC
