According to a report, Trump’s strict border policies have reduced illegal crossings by 90%.

With data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) showing a dramatic decline in illegal crossings at the southern border—possibly reaching historic lows—President Donald Trump’s return to office has brought about a significant change in border policy.

The New York Post reported that, on average, 359 migrants are processed every day, a 90% decrease in illegal border encounters compared to the same period last year. Should this pattern continue, February 2025 might have the lowest monthly total in 25 years, possibly approaching 1968-level levels.

According to the report, “it is amazing what the right words from an American president can accomplish.”

A New Executive Order Modifies Tariffs and Targets Drug Flow

President Trump signed a new executive order called “Amendment to Duties to Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Southern Border” concurrently with the decrease in border crossings.

The order, which is based on a number of federal laws, such as the Trade Act of 1974 and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, aims to strengthen border security without interfering with North American supply chains, especially those in the automotive sector, by modifying tariffs on certain goods imported from Mexico.

The order’s main provisions include: Automotive Trade Exemptions: Under existing trade agreements, Mexican auto parts and goods are free from additional tariffs specified in an earlier order issued in February 2025 (EO 14194).

Tariff Adjustment for Potash: The 25% tariff on potash that is not exempt above will be lowered to 10%.

Effective Date: The modifications apply to products that are entered or withdrawn for consumption as of March 7, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. EST.

The order makes it clear that it is subject to current laws and budgetary provisions and does not establish any enforceable legal rights.

Numbers of Migration at All-Time Lows

As of February 11, the U.S.-Mexico border had only seen 3,953 illegal migrants, according to CBP data. The month may conclude with about 10,000 crossings, the fewest since the agency started keeping track of this data in 1999, if the current rate holds.

In an interview with the New York Post, Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, stated, “We haven’t had numbers this low since the 1960s.” “If these numbers continue, we’re talking about 60-year lows here.”

In April 2017, during Trump’s first term, monthly crossings were just over 11,000, the closest the United States has ever been to this number.

Migrants Are Receiving Signals of Policy Change

The Post was informed by Border Patrol sources that migrant behavior has already changed as a result of President Trump’s change in tone and policy.

According to one source, “the change in presidents is palpable.” “The message has reached the migrants.”

Officials and immigration experts say the impact is quantifiable—and substantial—as the administration continues to take a strong stand against illegal immigration and implements trade and enforcement measures to support it.