In December 2024, the number of migrants apprehended at the border was approximately 47,000, a significant reduction from the peak of 250,000 during the Biden administration in December 2023, and also lower than the numbers (71,000) at the end of Trump's previous term in 2020. This drop was attributed to Joe Biden's stricter measures, international cooperation and legal entry programs, according to Reuters.

Biden's policies, such as the use of the CBP One app and new legal pathways for certain migrants, have contributed to this stabilization. However, Trump plans to dismantle these initiatives, arguing that they overstep executive authority, and has vowed to implement tough measures against illegal immigration, including mass deportations and tighter restrictions.

Experts point out that Biden's approach has resulted in a "smoother and more stable border" in years, but there are fears that Trump's repeal of these policies, without effective replacements, could cause an increase in migration flows, according to the report. Many migrants wait in Mexico, with about 280,000 using CBP One daily to try to schedule asylum applications.

It is important to note that there is growing pressure on countries such as Mexico and Panama to intensify immigration enforcement. Trump has vowed to adopt a more combative stance, including threatening 25 percent tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada if those countries do not cooperate in the fight against illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

While the Biden administration has demonstrated strides in immigration control, the prospect of drastic changes in Trump's approach raises concerns about potential setbacks and challenges in border management.