Individuals migrating from various countries who initiated their journey to the United States during the open-border policies of former President Joe Biden are now returning to their home countries or opting not to attempt entry under President Donald Trump.
On his inaugural day in office, Trump enacted a number of executive orders aimed at enhancing border security and reinstating first-term policies that Biden had eliminated, including the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy, which resulted in significant reductions in illegal border crossings.
Consequently, these policy changes have deterred potential migrants from embarking on the journey to the U.S. and have prompted others already en route to return, as highlighted by a video report from Reuters released this week.
In February, the New York Post disclosed that the White House had enforced a near-total restriction on migrants at the southern border, frequently neglecting to inquire if individuals were pursuing asylum. Consequently, officials and sources indicate that numerous migrants have resigned themselves to the situation and retreated.
Migrants are reversing their journey and returning due to heightened border security measures implemented after President Trump’s repeal of the Biden-era ‘catch and release’ policy, the increase of military personnel at the border, and the initiation of a nationwide mass deportation campaign, as stated by Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks on X.
Officials in Honduras reported encountering a group of 26 migrants from Venezuela and Cuba who were heading back to Nicaragua, alongside another group of 23 individuals from Honduras, Venezuela, Panama, and El Salvador who were retreating from Mexico, Banks noted.
‘These individuals pointed to the significant security presence along the U.S.-Mexico border and Mexico’s containment strategies as primary factors for their decision to turn back,’ Banks remarked. ‘Families within these groups made a critical choice to avoid the perils of cartel-dominated areas, where extortion and violence are prevalent.
Our enforcement measures are proving effective.’ The Trump administration has effectively embraced a ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards migrants, including those seeking asylum, according to various sources.
In sharp contrast, under Biden’s administration, around 5,000 migrants—representing roughly 70% of those encountered—were permitted to stay in the United States on an average day in December.
Concurrently, while intensifying domestic enforcement to tackle the border crisis, Trump exerted pressure on Mexico, threatening a 25% universal tariff unless the nation stationed 10,000 troops at its southern border, a demand that Mexico ultimately fulfilled.
