Trump claims historic drop in border crossings, touts cost savings from new enforcement bill and expanded ICE operations.

Trump Cites Success of Aggressive Immigration Policy

President Donald Trump on Tuesday credited his administration’s immigration crackdown for an unprecedented decline in border crossings, telling reporters at the White House that new enforcement measures have resulted in “zero” migrants entering the U.S. last month. The president suggested that the dramatic decrease could lead to major cost savings on future border security spending, despite billions recently allocated for continued enforcement.

The comments came during Trump’s first Cabinet meeting since April, following the enactment of a sweeping Republican-led spending package. The so-called “big, beautiful bill” directs $45 billion toward building new immigration detention centers and $30 billion for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, including the hiring of an estimated 10,000 additional deportation officers.

“I don’t think we’re going to need so much of it [there], because we had zero come in last month,” Trump remarked, suggesting that with a largely completed border wall and effective enforcement, “You may actually think about saving a lot of money.” He attributed the success to his administration’s aggressive approach—expanding ICE raids, expediting deportations, and seeking to end birthright citizenship by executive order.

Numbers Show Sharp Decline

Trump’s reference to “zero” crossings appears to cite a recent U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) report indicating that no illegal immigrants were released into the country in the last 30 days. The CBP’s data also shows only 8,725 border encounters in May, a dramatic drop from 117,905 in May 2024 during the Biden administration.

The president’s remarks underscored a broader criticism of past immigration policies, accusing the previous administration of allowing unchecked entry and claiming, “The whole world was dumped into our country from prisons, from gangs, from mental institutions.” Trump, however, did not provide additional specifics or country details regarding these claims.

Trump praised the work of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE, stating, “We have to get them out, and we have no choice. And we are getting them out.” He emphasized that ongoing efforts are focused on removing individuals “walking in areas that we don’t know anything about that came out of insane asylums.”

Public Response and Future Implications

While Trump celebrated the border crackdown as a fiscal and security win, public sentiment appears divided. A recent Quinnipiac poll found that 56% of voters disapprove of ICE’s job performance, and nearly two-thirds favor pathways to legal status for most immigrants. Nonetheless, the administration’s approach marks a sharp departure from previous policy, and the president remains committed to hardline enforcement despite the mixed public reaction.

As the administration prepares to implement further changes funded by the new spending package, the effectiveness and long-term impact of Trump’s immigration policies remain central to the national debate. The administration’s claim of “zero” border crossings and dramatic cost savings will continue to draw scrutiny as federal agencies adjust their operations and public opinion evolves.