Illegal border crossings down 94% under Trump admin: Border Patrol head

The number of illegal immigrants crossing the border has dropped by 94 percent in comparison to the same time last year, according to the Trump administration’s Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks.

During an interview with CBS News, Banks revealed the significant decrease and attributed it to the Trump administration's aggressive actions against illegal immigration.

Banks explained that Border Patrol agents have been detaining an average of 285 migrants per day over the past week, a stark contrast to around 4,800 apprehensions largely leading to release last year under the Biden administration.

"The greater the punishment, the larger the deterrent," Banks explained. He said that only two illegal immigrants have been released from custody after crossing the border and being detained by Border Patrol after Trump took office, and were only released to assist in a criminal prosecution as witnesses.

"I can tell you this: anyone that has crossed the border between the ports of entry since this administration has taken office has not been released," Banks added.

The Border Patrol head linked the sharp reduction in illegal border crossings to several measures enacted by Trump, such as an executive order to end catch and release as well as others. He also laid into the idea that immigrants could claim asylum after crossing the border illegally between ports of entry.

"You do not cross the border illegally and then make an asylum claim," he clarified. "You can go to the port of entry, or you can visit one of your country’s embassies to submit your asylum request."

Trump, as well as his appointed Borde Czar Tom Homan, has reiterated that the policies under the Biden administration that allowed for so many illegal immigrants to enter the country have come to a halt. The administration has also started mass deportation operations around the country to remove illegal immigrants from the country, starting with safety threats.