WASHINGTON — The number of migrants crossing the southern border illegally from Mexico — one of the biggest issues in this year’s election – fell again in July, to the lowest level since President Joe Biden took office. The Biden administration said it shows how its new policies limiting asylum are working, but Republicans argue border security remains a major problem.

What You Need To Know

  • Some local officials along the southern border in Texas told Spectrum News a decline in illegal crossings by migrants is clear

  • Customs and Border Protection reports there were roughly 57,000 arrests of migrants in July, down from about 83,500 arrests in June, according to the Associated Press

  • The Biden administration has attributed the drop largely to new asylum restrictions by the president 

  • Some immigration experts said the Mexican government has bolstered its enforcement, so much so that some Texas Republicans are downplaying the Biden administration’s role

Some local officials along the southern border in Texas told Spectrum News a decline in illegal crossings by migrants is clear.

“Our numbers have gone down drastically, but unfortunately, you know, you have a lot of buildup on the Juarez side, and you know, there's such great partners, and I hate that when we make a decision, we put the burden on Mexico,” El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego said.

What is felt on the ground is reflected in the latest numbers from Customs and Border Protection. According to the Associated Press, the federal agency said there were roughly 57,000 arrests of migrants in July, down from about 83,500 arrests in June, the previous low mark of Biden’s presidency.

The Biden administration has attributed the drop largely to new asylum restrictions by the president. According to the Department of Homeland Security, officials have removed and returned more than 65,000 people to more than 125 countries, including by operating more than 200 deportation flights.

Biden imposed the asylum restrictions after efforts to enact bipartisan legislation tightening the southern border collapsed when former President Donald Trump urged Republicans in Congress to oppose it. Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized that at a rally Tuesday.

“Our administration worked on the most significant border security bill in decades,” Harris said.

The numbers had been falling even prior to Biden’s restrictions. Some immigration experts said the Mexican government has bolstered its enforcement, so much so that some Texas Republicans are downplaying the Biden administration’s role.

“One, it's hot as hell outside, right? That certainly plays a part into it,” Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, told Spectrum News. “The numbers always go down during the summer months, but also, the big key to this, Mexico is stepping up.”

Immigration advocates and civil rights groups legally challenged the president’s new policy as inconsistent with U.S. asylum laws.

As for Samaniego, he feels the Biden administration’s decision to implement the new rules was political.

“I don't think it reaches what we're trying to accomplish, and that is, how do we get the right individuals into the United States?” Samaniego said. “How do we get the economy being supported by migrants?”

The issue of border security has been a political liability for Democrats, one that has not changed, according to some polls, despite the drop in illegal crossings. The decrease also raises the prospects that the asylum restrictions would be lifted, because they are put in place when the seven-day average of daily crossings hits a certain threshold.