Trump Administration Marks 101st Anniversary of U.S. Border Patrol with Policy Recap

Introduction

On May 28, 2025, President Donald J. Trump issued a presidential proclamation celebrating the 101st anniversary of the United States Border Patrol (USBP), using the occasion to highlight sweeping policy shifts at the U.S.-Mexico border since his return to office. The administration credited a series of aggressive measures—including the declaration of a national emergency, renewed border wall construction, the designation of major cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, and the launch of the largest deportation operation in U.S. history—with dramatically reducing illegal border crossings and fentanyl trafficking. The proclamation underscored the administration’s commitment to supporting Border Patrol agents and maintaining strict border enforcement, positioning these efforts as the fulfillment of campaign promises and a restoration of American sovereignty^[1][2][3].

This report examines the historical significance of the Border Patrol, details the policy changes implemented in 2025, assesses their impact, and explores the broader political and social context surrounding the administration’s approach to border security.

The United States Border Patrol: A Century of Service

Historical Overview

Founded in 1924, the United States Border Patrol has served as the frontline defense of America’s borders for more than a century. Its mission has evolved from intercepting bootleggers during Prohibition to combating modern threats such as drug cartels, human traffickers, and transnational criminal organizations. Over the decades, USBP agents have become symbols of the nation’s efforts to assert control over its borders and regulate the flow of people and goods.

Honoring Service and Sacrifice

In his proclamation, President Trump paid tribute to the courage and dedication of Border Patrol agents, noting their willingness to risk their lives to “repel the flow of deadly drugs, weapons, criminals, and terrorists.” The proclamation also honored the memory of agents who have died in the line of duty, pledging to empower the USBP to continue safeguarding the American homeland for generations to come^[1:1][3:1].

Policy Shifts Under the Trump Administration

Declaring a National Emergency

One of President Trump’s first acts upon returning to office in January 2025 was to declare a national emergency at the southern border. This move invoked the National Emergencies Act, granting the president broad statutory powers to reallocate resources, deploy the military, and implement extraordinary measures to address what was described as an “invasion” of unauthorized migrants, criminals, and traffickers^[4][5][6].

Key Provisions of the Emergency Declaration

• Deployment of Military Forces:
  The Department of Defense was directed to deploy active-duty troops and National Guard units to the border, with approximately 10,000 service members supporting Customs and Border Protection (CBP) by March 2025^{[7][5:1][6:1]}.
• Operational Control:
  The military was tasked with supporting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to achieve “full operational control” of the southern border, including surveillance, logistics, and infrastructure support.
• Creation of National Defense Areas:
  The administration established military-controlled zones along the border, granting the Department of Defense jurisdiction over federal lands for the purpose of detaining migrants and securing the territory^[7:1].

Resumption and Expansion of Border Wall Construction

President Trump’s border security strategy prominently featured the resumption and acceleration of border wall construction. Building on contracts and plans from his first term, the administration awarded new contracts for wall segments in Texas, California, and New Mexico, including a $70 million contract for seven miles of new barriers in Hidalgo County, Texas^[8][7:2].

Impact of the Border Wall

• Physical Barriers:
  The wall, reinforced with razor wire and advanced surveillance technology, was designed to deter illegal crossings and disrupt smuggling routes.
• Operational Results:
  Border Patrol sectors reported significant reductions in apprehensions and drug seizures in areas where new barriers were constructed, with some sectors noting decreases in crossings of up to 95%^[9].

Designation of Cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations

In a move unprecedented in U.S. policy, the administration designated eight major international cartels—including Tren de Aragua, MS-13, and the Sinaloa Cartel—as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs)^[10][11].

Rationale and Effects

• Legal Tools:
  The designations provided law enforcement with enhanced tools to investigate, sanction, and prosecute cartel members and supporters, including asset freezes and criminal penalties for material support^[11:1].
• International Pressure:
  The move signaled a shift in U.S. strategy, framing cartel violence and drug trafficking as not only criminal but also terrorist threats to national security.

The Largest Deportation Operation in U.S. History

The administration launched what it described as the largest domestic deportation operation ever conducted, prioritizing the removal of individuals with criminal records and suspected national security threats^[12][13]. Utilizing both charter and commercial flights, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carried out over 350 deportation flights in the first months of 2025, including high-profile removals of alleged gang members under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act^[12:1].

Key Features

• Expedited Removals:
  The administration invoked wartime authorities to expedite the removal of noncitizens deemed threats.
• Registry and Self-Reporting:
  A registry for all undocumented individuals was created, with non-compliance potentially resulting in fines or prosecution^[13:1].
• International Coordination:
  Recipient countries faced diplomatic pressure to accept deportees, with some expressing concerns about the economic and social impacts of large-scale returns^[12:2].

Additional Enforcement Measures

• End of Catch-and-Release:
  The administration ended the practice of releasing migrants pending immigration hearings, instead detaining or returning them to Mexico under the reinstated “Remain in Mexico” policy^[1:2].
• Suspension of Asylum:
  Asylum applications from border crossers were suspended, effectively closing the border to most humanitarian claims^[6:2].
• Deployment of Surveillance Technology:
  Advanced surveillance towers, drones, and naval assets were deployed to monitor and secure the border^[7:3].

Impact and Outcomes

Dramatic Reduction in Border Crossings

The administration reported a 95% drop in daily border encounters within the first 100 days of 2025, with migrant crossings declining by 99.99% compared to the previous year^{[1:3][7:4][14][3:2]}. In March 2025, CBP recorded just over 7,000 apprehensions at the southwest border—the lowest monthly number in recorded history^[7:5][14:1].

Decline in Fentanyl and Drug Trafficking

Fentanyl traffic across the southern border reportedly fell by 54% compared to March 2024, as the combination of physical barriers, military deployments, and enhanced enforcement disrupted smuggling operations^[1:4][3:3].

Record Numbers of Arrests and Deportations

In the first 100 days, the administration claimed to have arrested more than 150,000 individuals and deported over 135,000, focusing on those with criminal backgrounds or suspected ties to terrorist organizations^[1:5][12:3].

Morale and Support for Border Patrol Agents

President Trump’s proclamation emphasized renewed respect and resources for Border Patrol agents, contrasting the current administration’s approach with what he described as the previous administration’s neglect and demoralization of the USBP^{[1:6][2:1][3:4]}. The Valor Memorial and Wreath Laying Ceremony in Washington, D.C., honored agents who lost their lives in service, reinforcing the administration’s message of gratitude and support^[3:5].

Political and Public Response

Partisan Divides

Public opinion on the administration’s border policies remains deeply polarized. According to recent surveys, nearly nine-in-ten Republicans approve of sending additional troops to the border and increasing deportations, while a majority of Democrats view the measures as excessive^[15].

• Republican Support:
  Strong approval for military deployments, deportations, and the construction of the border wall.
• Democratic Opposition:
  Widespread disapproval of suspending asylum, cutting funds to sanctuary cities, and the scale of deportations.

Criticism and Legal Challenges

The administration’s aggressive tactics have faced legal and logistical challenges, including court battles over the use of military forces for domestic law enforcement, the invocation of the Alien Enemies Act, and the suspension of asylum^[13:2][12:4]. Human rights organizations and some state governments have criticized the humanitarian impact of mass deportations and the closure of legal pathways for migrants and asylum seekers.

International Repercussions

Recipient countries, particularly in Central America, have expressed concerns about the economic and social effects of large-scale deportations. The designation of cartels as terrorist organizations has also complicated diplomatic relations with Mexico and other regional partners^[12:5][10:1].

The Border Patrol’s Legacy and the Road Ahead

Honoring a Century of Service

The 101st anniversary of the USBP serves as a moment to reflect on the agency’s evolution and the changing nature of border security. President Trump’s proclamation framed the current era as a return to order and sovereignty, crediting Border Patrol agents with upholding the rule of law in the face of “grave danger and tremendous risk”^[1:7][3:6].

Ongoing Policy Initiatives

The administration has signaled that its work is “only just beginning,” with plans to continue expanding border infrastructure, enhancing surveillance, and maintaining strict enforcement. The USBP is positioned as a central pillar of national security, with the administration pledging continued support and resources.

Conclusion

President Trump’s proclamation marking the 101st anniversary of the U.S. Border Patrol is both a celebration of the agency’s storied history and a declaration of the administration’s hardline approach to border security. Through the declaration of a national emergency, military deployments, renewed wall construction, cartel designations, and mass deportations, the administration claims to have achieved historic reductions in illegal border crossings and drug trafficking. While these measures have garnered strong support among Republican voters and Border Patrol agents, they have also sparked controversy, legal challenges, and international debate over the balance between security, humanitarian obligations, and America’s identity as a nation of immigrants.

As the administration looks to the future, the USBP remains at the forefront of a contentious and evolving policy landscape—tasked with defending the nation’s borders in an era of heightened political polarization and global uncertainty^{[1:8][7:6][4:1][10:2][12:6][14:2][3:7]}.