All along the U.S. border, the number of immigrants being caught crossing illegally has fallen off at historic rates.
Fewer than 12,200 people were apprehended in March. That was 64 percent decrease from the same time last year – and the lowest monthly total in 17 years.
In the Rio Grande Valley, the totals dropped off from 291 a day in January to just 37 a day in March, according to the Los Angeles Times.
A once-busy crossing point between the Rio Grande and the border cities of Hidalgo and McAllen is all but empty now at night, except for Border Patrol agents in their patrol vehicles, according to the Times report.
Norman Adams of Texans for Sensible Immigration Policy says the Trump administration deserves credit for its tough talk – and adds that reform is needed inside the border as well.
Adams tells NewsRadio 740 KTRH that Mexico's improving economy is another reason why illegal crossings are down.
Other reasons given for the dropoff include:
--Higher fees demanded by smugglers, with some reaching five figures. (Smugglers charge as much as $7,000 to $11,000.)
--Executive orders by Trump that have led to increase enforcement of laws already on the books.
--News coverage of recent immigration raids.
“The president’s commitment to securing our border and supporting law enforcement is already showing results,” asserts a White House statement.
This comes before new laws have been passed or Trump’s promised wall has been built.