In the weeks following the implementation of new asylum restrictions, encounters between U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and unauthorized migrants crossing the southern border have decreased by 40%, according to recent statistics. The Biden administration has hailed these numbers as evidence that the new policies are working to bring "order to the border."

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas stated at a press conference in Tucson, Arizona, that the president's actions have resulted in a tough response to illegal crossings, leading to more noncitizens without legal basis being removed from the country. The administration has doubled the number of expedited removals in the last three weeks and arranged over 100 international repatriation flights to 20 countries.

These efforts have resulted in the lowest number of arrests since January 2021, as per the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The San Diego sector, which was previously a hot spot for undocumented migrant crossings, has seen a noticeable shift. The area, including California's Jacumba Valley, now appears mostly empty compared to just a few weeks ago when hundreds of migrants waited in scattered campsites.

However, it is important to note that the decrease in border crossings is not solely due to U.S. policies. Mexico has also increased its enforcement measures, preventing migrants from venturing north towards the United States. Despite the deterrence policies, migrants continue to arrive at the border, but now opt to remain on the Mexican side, waiting for the right moment to cross.

The story of a family with three small children encountered by NPR in one of the desert camps highlights the challenges faced by migrants. The family endured an arduous journey, evading snakes and mountain lions, after fleeing violence and extortion in their native Mexico. Their ordeal shed light on the belief expressed by immigration analysts that deterrence policies alone are not a long-term solution to curbing undocumented immigration.

As the announcement of reduced border encounters and increased removals comes just before the first presidential debate, where immigration is expected to take center stage, migrants and locals in the border region remain skeptical about the effectiveness of these policies. Both groups view it as politics as usual, lacking any real or lasting solutions.

While the Biden administration sees the reduced numbers as a success, it is apparent that addressing the complex issue of undocumented immigration requires comprehensive and multi-faceted approaches that tackle the root causes and provide viable alternatives for those seeking a better future.