John Ladd, a fourth-generation cattle rancher whose 16,000-acre property borders Mexico, estimates that U.S. law enforcement has apprehended approximately half a million migrants crossing his land illegally over the past three decades. His family has operated their ranch along the southern border for 129 years, during which time the area has been a frequent entry point for migrants attempting to enter the United States. However, since former President Donald Trump assumed office for his second term in 2024, Ladd reports a significant decline in unauthorized crossings on his property, stating that he has not personally seen any migrants attempting to cross.

Ladd attributes this sharp reduction to a combination of heightened enforcement measures introduced during Trump’s administration. He recalled that during Trump’s first term, illegal crossings had virtually ceased, but after President Joe Biden took office, migrant traffic resumed, albeit at lower levels. Ladd described conditions prior to the renewed crackdown as chaotic, with migrants frequently damaging fences, stealing property, and causing disturbances that adversely affected his livestock and daily operations.

According to official U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) statistics, 29,890 individuals have been apprehended at the southern border since January, a dramatic drop compared to the more than 2.1 million detained throughout 2024. Supervisory Border Patrol agent Jesus Vasabilvaso, who oversees the Tucson sector along Arizona’s 262-mile border with Mexico, confirmed that illegal crossings have declined by approximately 99 percent. He cited a near-100 percent prosecution rate for illegal border crossers as a key factor deterring attempts.

The enforcement approach has shifted from earlier years, when a “catch and release” policy allowed many migrants to await hearings outside of custody. Under the current regime, first-time unauthorized entries are treated as misdemeanors, often resulting in prompt deportation to countries such as Guatemala or southern Mexico. Repeat offenses carry harsher penalties, including at least one year in federal prison. Vasabilvaso emphasized that the certainty of arrest, prosecution, and removal has altered migrant behavior significantly, leading to far fewer crossing attempts.

The physical border infrastructure has also seen substantial enhancements. Alongside the primary 30-foot steel fence, U.S. military personnel have deployed bladed concertina wire and are constructing secondary barriers, with costs estimated at around $20 million per mile. This reinforced presence is intended to further deter crossings and support increased patrol activity using horses, all-terrain vehicles, foot patrols, drones, and AI-supported monitoring systems.

While the increased border security and enforcement measures have been credited with reducing unauthorized crossings, critics argue about the humanitarian and legal implications of such policies. Nonetheless, rancher Ladd supports the measures enthusiastically, attributing the sharp decline in migrant activity near his property to the deterrent effect of Trump-era policies and enforcement actions. He describes the current conditions as “absolutely wonderful” compared to the previous years of near-constant migrant incursions.

Efforts to maintain and expand these enforcement practices continue, with Trump reportedly seeking congressional approval for a $70 billion fund to support immigration enforcement agencies. This funding would reinforce the capacity of Border Patrol units and auxiliary personnel stationed along the border, particularly in high-traffic areas such as Arizona. As of now, U.S. agents remain focused on preventing unauthorized crossings through increased patrols and heightened prosecution efforts.