Border crossings hit record low in March thanks to 'vigilant' work of agents: report

Fox News - Apr 15th, 2025

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported a historic low in illegal border crossings in March, with apprehensions significantly reduced compared to the same period in 2024 under the Biden administration. The decrease is attributed to increased patrols aided by the Department of Defense, highlighting what CBP describes as a 'pivotal achievement' in securing the nation's borders. This trend marks the second consecutive month of record-low daily apprehensions, with a total of 7,181 illegal aliens apprehended in March, a 14% decrease from February. The report underscores the Trump administration's message of deportation for illegal crossings, aiming to establish 'operational control' of the border.

Despite the drop in illegal crossings, CBP noted a sharp increase in drug seizures, with fentanyl seizures rising by 24% in March. Overall drug seizures, including cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana, rose by 47% from February, indicating ongoing challenges in combating drug smuggling. Acting CBP Commissioner Pete Flores credited the decline in illegal crossings to the dedication of CBP agents, whose vigilance plays a critical role in protecting American communities. The report highlights the complexities of border security efforts, balancing the reduction of illegal crossings with the persistent threat of drug trafficking.

Trump Administration Border Security Fentanyl Illegal Immigration Department Of Defense U.S. Customs And Border Protection Drug Seizures

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.2

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides a detailed account of recent border security statistics, focusing on the perceived successes of the Trump administration's policies. It effectively communicates the data and maintains clarity in its presentation. However, the lack of balance and transparency, particularly in terms of sourcing and the inclusion of diverse perspectives, limits the article's depth and credibility. While it addresses topics of significant public interest and current relevance, the potential for broader impact and engagement is constrained by the absence of critical analysis and opposing viewpoints. Overall, the article is informative but could benefit from greater transparency and balance to enhance its reliability and comprehensiveness.

Accuracy

The story presents a range of factual claims about border crossings and drug seizures that are largely supported by CBP reports. For instance, it accurately states that March 2025 saw record-low border crossings compared to the same period in 2024. However, it lacks specific citations or links to these reports, making independent verification more challenging. The claim about operational control becoming a reality is more subjective and would benefit from expert analysis or additional data. The comparison of drug seizure increases is precise, but without direct source links, the reader must rely on the outlet's credibility.

Balance

The article predominantly presents data and perspectives that favor the Trump administration's policies, particularly in reducing illegal border crossings. It lacks counterbalancing viewpoints or comments from independent experts or opposition figures. This creates an impression of bias, as it doesn't explore potential criticisms or alternative explanations for the reported data, such as seasonal migration trends or external factors influencing drug seizures.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with concise language that makes the information accessible to readers. The use of specific numbers and comparisons helps convey the data effectively. However, the lack of contextual explanations or expert commentary might leave some readers with questions about the broader implications of the data presented.

Source quality

The primary source for the article's claims appears to be the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a reliable and authoritative source for border-related data. However, the article does not provide direct links to these reports or any additional sources that could corroborate the claims, such as independent analysts or other government agencies. The reliance on a single source type limits the depth and breadth of the reporting.

Transparency

The article does not sufficiently disclose the methodology behind the reported statistics or the context in which they were gathered. It lacks transparency in explaining how the data was collected and whether there are any potential biases in the reporting. The absence of direct links to the CBP reports or clarification on how the data was interpreted impacts the article's transparency.