President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed immigration policies are poised to significantly reduce illegal crossings at the U.S. southern border, according to experts and law enforcement officials Trump has pledged to reinstate measures like the “Remain in Mexico” policy, end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and halt birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants.
Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council, described Trump’s policies as the most effective border strategies implemented in recent decades. Reinstating “Remain in Mexico” will require asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico for court dates, easing the strain on U.S. resources. Judd said such policies allow local police in border towns to focus on public safety rather than immigration-related issues, which consume significant time and resources.
Illegal border crossings have surged during the Biden administration, with 6.7 million migrant encounters recorded at the southern border. Judd emphasized that the current situation is unprecedented, with border activity spread across the entire southwest region instead of isolated hotspots. He attributed this increase to policies that release migrants into the U.S., a stark contrast to Trump’s enforcement-focused approach.
Stronger border enforcement is expected to weaken cartel operations that profit from smuggling migrants and narcotics. Cartels earn an estimated $13 billion annually from human smuggling. Cochise County, Arizona, has reported daily increases in smuggling pursuits, which Sheriff Mark Dannels attributes to cartels exploiting current policies ahead of Trump’s inauguration.
Local and state law enforcement agencies are preparing to collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the 287(g) program, which empowers police to act as immigration officers. Harford County, Maryland, Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler clarified that this program targets individuals arrested for criminal acts, not random immigration checks.
The U.S. foreign-born population hit a record 51.6 million in March 2024, accounting for 15.6% of the total population, according to the Center for Immigration Studies. Trump’s plans include deporting 1.4 million immigrants who have defied removal orders and expediting the deportation of noncitizens convicted of crimes.
By leveraging military resources and expanding local law enforcement partnerships, Trump aims to execute what he has described as the “largest deportation effort” in U.S. history. The impact on border security, local police, and national demographics will depend on the scope and funding of these initiatives.
Trump’s border policies are expected to tighten control over illegal immigration while alleviating burdens on local law enforcement and addressing security concerns tied to cartels and drug trafficking.
