Decline in Border Numbers ‘Strictly’ Due to Trump, Says Border Patrol Agent Judd

The president of the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC) stated the decline in illegal immigration experienced in the past few months is “due strictly to President Trump’s policies.”

Since President Trump took office in January, the apprehension of illegal immigrants crossing the border decreased by 61 percent, Breitbart Texas reported. U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brandon Judd, in his capacity as the NBPC president, told Fox Business Channel’s Stuart Varney he has “never seen such a quick drop in illegal immigration.”

“Whether you lean left, right, or you’re in the middle you have to be a fan of what he’s done for the border patrol, for the border security. He’s done more in first 100 days than the last two administrations have done in 16 years,” Judd said in his capacity as the union president. Judd also serves as an active duty Border Patrol Agent.

Since President Trump took office on January 20, each month has shown a marked decrease in the apprehension of illegal immigrants crossing the border. In January, the number of apprehensions dropped from the prior month’s arrests from 58,431 to 42,477. In February, President Trump’s first full month in office, the number of arrests declined again to 23,570. In March, the numbers fell again to a 12-year low of 16,600, Breitbart Texas reported.

Border crossing apprehensions along the southwest border with Mexico increased dramatically the months leading up to Trump’s election in November. The number of arrests peaked in October 2016 at 66,710. A gradual decline followed until the sharp drop following Trump’s inauguration.

During the Obama Administration, Judd and other law enforcement officials expressed frustration about being handcuffed by catch and release policies. Under the Trump Administration, “the handcuffs are being taken off the law enforcement agents, and we’re putting the handcuffs back on the criminals,” he said.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions spoke to border enforcement officers and agents at the Nogales Port of Entry on Tuesday, Breitbart Texas reported. During his speech, the AG announced aggressive prosecution plans designed to stop repeat illegal immigration offenders and to deter first-time improper entrants.

“The catch and release practices of old are over,” Sessions told a group of U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel gathered in Nogales, Arizona. He assured these people tasked with enforcing the borders of the United States that the Department of Justice will have their backs, Breitbart News reported.

“For those that continue to seek improper and illegal entry into this country, be forewarned: This is a new era. This is the Trump era,” Sessions concluded.

Bob Price serves as associate editor and senior political news contributor for Breitbart Texas. He is a founding member of the Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX and Facebook.

(Disclosure: Breitbart Texas sponsored the Green Line podcast for the NBPC in an effort to provide a platform for agents to inform the public about the realities on the border and what Border Patrol agents face. Director Brandon Darby received an award from the Laredo chapter of the NBPC for his work in helping to defend and bring a voice to Border Patrol agents. Breitbart News assisted in covering funeral costs for a slain Border Patrol agent previously. Darby and Breitbart senior management have directly stated and shown that helping to bring a voice to the expressed needs and interests of Border Patrol agents is a top priority–personally, individually and together through Breitbart News.)