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The dramatic drop in illegal border crossings in February marked the lowest number recorded in at least 25 years, according to preliminary government data obtained by CBS News. Border Patrol documented approximately 8,450 migrant apprehensions along the U.S.-Mexico border during the first full month of President Trump’s second term, potentially representing the lowest monthly total since fiscal year 2000.
The February figures stand in stark contrast to the situation during peak migration periods in 2023, when the Biden administration sometimes recorded over 8,000 apprehensions in a single day. This represents a significant shift in border dynamics following President Trump’s return to office.
While President Trump claimed in his joint address to Congress that “illegal border crossings last month were by far, the lowest ever recorded,” the accuracy of this statement depends on how “ever” is defined. The current numbers do represent the lowest monthly total in publicly available data going back to 2000. Historical statistics suggest the last time Border Patrol averaged approximately 8,000 apprehensions per month over a full year was in fiscal year 1968.
However, several other claims made by the president during his address contained inaccuracies or misrepresentations, according to CBS News fact-checkers. For example, Trump’s assertion that 21 million people entered the United States during the past four years significantly exceeds official figures. U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported nearly 11 million nationwide encounters with undocumented migrants between fiscal years 2021 and 2024, with approximately 8.7 million occurring at the southern border.
The president’s claim also fails to account for the fact that many migrants were not permitted to remain in the country. The Department of Homeland Security data shows the U.S. deported or turned away over 4.7 million migrants during that period.
In another contested claim, President Trump stated his administration “ended the last administration’s insane electric vehicle mandate,” though the Biden administration never imposed a specific EV mandate. In March 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency announced standards for new passenger cars beginning in model year 2027 aimed at reducing carbon emissions, which critics characterized as a de facto mandate.
On his first day back in office, Trump signed an executive order stating “it is the policy of the United States… to eliminate the ‘electric vehicle (EV) mandate’ and promote true consumer choice.”
The president also made misleading statements regarding the Department of Health and Human Services spending “$22 billion on free housing and cars for illegal aliens.” While HHS has spent billions housing unaccompanied children apprehended at the border, only people with legal status are eligible for refugee benefits subsidizing housing and transportation.
Federal records confirm more than $26 billion in grants, subsidies, and contributions for “refugee and entrant assistance” from fiscal year 2020 to 2024. This includes funding for caring for unaccompanied minors in U.S. custody, which both the Trump and Biden administrations requested from Congress. For fiscal years 2020 and 2021, Trump requested more than $5 billion for this purpose.
Another claim fact-checked by CBS News involved President Trump’s statement that he “withdrew from the corrupt World Health Organization.” While Trump signed an executive order announcing his intention to begin the yearlong withdrawal process, it has not been completed. Both the president and the WHO have expressed openness to discussions about potentially keeping the U.S. within the agency’s membership.
As the new administration moves forward with implementing its policy agenda, the accuracy of claims made during official addresses will likely continue to face scrutiny from media organizations and fact-checkers.
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20 Comments
While the reported numbers seem to indicate progress on the border security front, I share the concern about the need for nuance and caution around claims of ‘lowest ever.’ Rigorous fact-checking is essential.
Agreed. Maintaining objectivity and acknowledging the limitations of the data is key when it comes to politically-charged issues like this.
The shift in border dynamics is certainly noteworthy, though I’m curious to understand the factors driving this change beyond just policy changes. Economic and geopolitical factors likely play a role as well.
Good point. There are likely multiple complex variables at play. Digging deeper into the underlying drivers would provide a more complete picture.
The numbers reported are certainly striking, though I wonder how they compare to historical trends beyond just the past 25 years. It’s a complex issue that deserves a nuanced look at the data.
Good point about the need to consider longer-term historical context. This will likely remain a key focus area for the administration.
Fact-checking claims around border crossings is important, as the data can be interpreted in different ways. I appreciate the effort to provide context and caveats around the ‘lowest ever’ assertion.
Absolutely, nuance and precision are crucial when dealing with politically-charged issues like this. Fact-checking is an essential service.
The data on border crossings is certainly interesting, though I suspect there may be more to the story. I’d be curious to see how these numbers compare to broader migration trends in the region.
Good point. Understanding the regional context and longer-term patterns would provide important context for interpreting the latest figures.
Interesting to see the data on illegal border crossings. It’s clear the Trump administration’s policies have had a significant impact, though the accuracy of the ‘lowest ever’ claim depends on the timeframe. Curious to hear more perspectives on this.
Agreed, the data seems to show a major shift in border dynamics under Trump. Will be interesting to see how this issue evolves going forward.
While the reported drop in border crossings is noteworthy, I agree that we need to be cautious about claims of ‘lowest ever.’ Careful fact-checking and nuanced analysis is crucial on this sensitive issue.
Absolutely. Maintaining objectivity and acknowledging the complexities is the best way to have a meaningful dialogue on this topic.
The data on illegal border crossings is certainly interesting, though I agree that we need to be cautious about sweeping claims. Fact-checking and nuanced analysis are essential to understanding the full picture.
Well said. Digging deeper into the underlying factors and trends is key to having a meaningful discussion on this issue.
While the reported drop in border crossings is notable, I share the concern about the need for nuance and caution when it comes to claims of ‘lowest ever.’ This is a complex issue that deserves careful analysis.
Absolutely. Maintaining objectivity and acknowledging the limitations of the data is crucial, especially on politically-charged topics like this.
The data on illegal border crossings is certainly thought-provoking. I appreciate the effort to provide context and caveats around the claims made. Rigorous fact-checking is essential on issues like this.
Agreed. Digging into the underlying data and trends is key to developing a comprehensive understanding of the situation.