Trump policy may be deterring illegals

MCALLEN, TEXAS — Border Patrol arrests fell sharply in June to their lowest level since February, according to a U.S. official, ending a streak of four straight monthly increases.

The drop may reflect seasonal trends or it could signal that President Donald Trump’s “zerotolerance” policy to criminally prosecute every adult who enters the country illegally is having a deterrent effect.

The agency made 34,057 arrests on the border with Mexico in June, down 16 per cent from 40,344 in May, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as the numbers are not yet intended for public release. The June tally is preliminary and subject to change.

Arrests were still more than double the 16,077 in June 2017; but the sharp decline from spring could undercut the Trump administration’s narrative of a border in crisis.

The U.S. administration said in early May that it was prosecuting every illegal entry, including adults who came with their children. The separation of more than 2,000 children from their parent sparked an international outcry and Trump reversed course on June 20, ordering that families should stay together.

Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan told reporters last week that border arrests were trending lower in June, but said he wouldn’t provide numbers until their public release in early July.

“I believe the focus on border enforcement has had an impact on the crossings,” he said.

Rising temperatures could also be a major influence, discouraging people from walking in the scorching and potentially lethal heat in much of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Arrests also fell from May to June in four of the previous five years, last year being the exception.