Trump Border Crackdown Brings Quiet to El Paso Amid Sharp Decline in Migrant Arrivals

El Paso, Texas, once a bustling gateway for migrants crossing from Mexico, has seen a dramatic drop in activity following President Donald Trump’s intensified border enforcement policies. Streets and shelters that were previously crowded with migrants are now largely empty, marking a stark contrast to previous years.

Sites like the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and nearby parks, which once housed thousands of migrants, now see only a handful of visitors each night. Annunciation House, a volunteer network that operated 22 shelters at the peak of the migrant crisis, now runs only two, catering primarily to those returning home or awaiting deportation logistics.

Data reflects the impact of the administration’s policies. In September 2025, 11,647 people were detained along the US-Mexico border, down from 101,000 in September 2024 and 269,700 in 2023, marking the lowest figures since the 1970s. Border officials credit a combination of Mexican crackdowns, reduced humanitarian parole programs, stricter asylum restrictions, and military-backed surveillance.

Local residents express mixed reactions. Some, like Demesio Guerrero, a naturalised US citizen, welcome the reduced migrant flow, describing the previous situation under the Biden administration as “chaos everywhere.” Others, including immigration advocates, highlight humanitarian concerns, noting that the majority of those detained—over 70%—have no criminal record and have lived in the US for years.

Trump administration officials and supporters maintain that the crackdown is a success. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson called the measures “wildly successful,” citing full operational control of the border and a reduction in illegal crossings. Border czar Tom Homan and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem echo this sentiment, presenting the enforcement campaign as a fulfillment of Trump’s campaign promises and a key factor in his reelection.

However, the heavy enforcement has stirred controversy. Locals report that deportations have affected long-time residents and family networks, creating tension within border communities. Some residents, like Jesse Fuentes from Eagle Pass, voiced regrets about the approach, saying many “are having second thoughts about the way they voted,” though fear of speaking out remains.

The El Paso experience underscores the complex human and political dimensions of US border policy, balancing national security, community safety, and humanitarian concerns, with the Trump administration emphasizing order and deterrence, while advocacy groups warn of social and moral costs.