During the 2020 election, former President Donald Trump issued a dire warning: if Joe Biden won the presidency, his administration would dismantle the progress made in securing America’s borders and controlling illegal immigration. Nearly four years later, that prediction has come true. Federal data reveals that by the time President-elect Trump returns to office in January, President Biden’s border policies will have permitted approximately nine million illegal migrants to enter the United States.
Trump’s overwhelming victory in last week’s election was fueled in large part by his promise to rectify the border crisis—a crisis many argue was exacerbated by Biden’s lenient approach to immigration. The task awaiting Trump is monumental: undoing four years of what he calls “failed policies” and reasserting control over the nation’s borders.
According to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), there have been nearly 11 million recorded encounters between illegal migrants and border officials since Biden took office in January 2021. This staggering figure does not include an estimated two million “gotaways”—individuals who crossed the border illegally but evaded capture. Moreover, the number of undetected border crossings remains unknown.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) further breaks down these figures. Between January 2021 and June 2024, approximately 2.5 million migrants were turned away under the now-defunct Title 42 public health order, which was repealed in May 2023. Another 1.9 million migrants were deported through various enforcement actions, leaving nearly six million illegal entrants who have been allowed to remain in the U.S.
Adding to this crisis, CBP data shows that approximately 600,000 more migrants crossed the border illegally between June and October 2024, with around 400,000 of them permitted to stay. At the current rate, it’s estimated that another 300,000 illegal migrants will enter between November and January 2025. These figures bring the total to nearly nine million, a number that excludes undetected “gotaways” and legal entrants who overstayed their visas.
Critics argue that the Biden-Harris administration’s immigration policies have been a disaster. Biden’s rollback of Trump-era policies, such as the “Remain in Mexico” program and the construction of the border wall, coupled with a more lenient stance on asylum claims, has been widely seen as an open invitation to migrants. Despite attempts by the administration and sympathetic media outlets to downplay the crisis, public perception has largely aligned with the view that Biden’s policies have fueled the surge in illegal immigration.
The political consequences were evident in last week’s election. Trump’s campaign capitalized on the widespread frustration over border security, making it a cornerstone of his platform. His victory signals a mandate to address the border crisis head-on.
President-elect Trump has wasted no time signaling his intent to restore stringent border enforcement policies. On Monday, he announced via Truth Social that Tom Homan, former director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), would return to serve as “Border Czar” in his administration.
“I am pleased to announce that the Former ICE Director, and stalwart on Border Control, Tom Homan, will be joining the Trump Administration, in charge of our Nation’s Borders,” Trump wrote. “This includes, but is not limited to, the Southern Border, the Northern Border, all Maritime, and Aviation Security.”
Homan’s role will also encompass overseeing the deportation of illegal migrants. Trump made it clear that his administration would prioritize the removal of individuals who entered the country unlawfully. “I’ve known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders. Likewise, Tom Homan will be in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin,” Trump added. “Congratulations to Tom. I have no doubt he will do a fantastic, and long-awaited job.”
While Trump’s return to the White House is seen as a reset on border security, the road ahead is fraught with challenges. The task of deporting millions of illegal migrants and securing the border will require significant resources, coordination, and legislative support. Additionally, Trump will likely face resistance from advocacy groups, legal challenges, and a Democratic opposition that has defended Biden’s immigration policies.
Nevertheless, Trump remains undeterred. His administration is expected to reinstate measures like the “Remain in Mexico” policy, expedite the construction of the border wall, and increase funding for border security. The goal is clear: to restore control over immigration and ensure that the U.S. border is no longer a revolving door.
As January approaches, Trump’s supporters are optimistic that his administration will deliver on its promises. For millions of Americans, the next four years represent an opportunity to correct what they see as one of the most significant policy failures of the Biden era. Trump’s victory and his bold stance on border security mark a new chapter in America’s ongoing immigration debate.
