Following a lockdown on the U.S.-Mexico border in response to the pandemic, by April illegal border crossings had practically fallen to zero, with Border Patrol only encountering 79 people attempting to enter the country between ports of entry. Obviously the damage done to the job market (reducing employment prospects for illegals) also played a role, but that can’t explain all of it, as it’s not like Mexico’s economy is doing much better.
Meanwhile, while the nation was on lockdown, more progress was being made on the U.S.-Mexico border itself than any other period during the past three years of Trump’s presidency.
As the Washington Examiner’s Anna Giaritelli reports:
"Since March 16, the Monday after President Trump declared a national emergency, the federal government has completed 77 more miles of border fence at various parts of the U.S.-Mexico border. It is an increase of more than 50% from the 139 miles of fence that builders installed as of mid-March, according to Customs and Border Protection."
