As riots against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency rage on nationwide, the Trump administration is reporting some eye-catching numbers that underscore a significant departure from previous immigration enforcement trends and have sparked widespread discussion about the effectiveness of current policies.

Border czar Tom Homan announced a historic milestone on Tuesday, reporting a record low in illegal immigrant encounters by Border Patrol agents. In a statement shared on X, Homan declared, “In the last 24 hours the Border Patrol encountered a total of 95 illegal aliens across the entire southern border. That is the lowest number EVER recorded.” This figure represents a stark contrast when juxtaposed with the Biden administration’s reported daily encounter rate, which averaged over 10,000 illegal immigrants per day.

“On top of that,” Homan continued, “they released the vast majority [of illegal immigrants] into the US.” The data paints a clearer picture of year-over-year trends. According to The Daily Wire, “CBP agents encountered just 8,725 illegal aliens attempting to enter the United States between ports of entry last month,” marking a remarkable 93% decline from May 2024, when immigration enforcement authorities recorded over 117,000 illegal immigrant encounters at the southwestern border.

Additionally, the number of migrants caught and released into the U.S. by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) plummeted from 62,000 in May 2024 to zero in May 2025, reflecting a near-total halt in the practice of catch-and-release. In their own post, CBP wrote that “this administration has seen the fastest improvement in American border security of all time.” Acting Commissioner of CBP Pete Flores said these numbers are all part of “reinforcing the sustained success of our enforcement efforts in securing the homeland and protecting American communities.”

Supporters of the administration’s approach argue that the numbers demonstrate a successful deterrence strategy, significantly reducing unauthorized border crossings. Meanwhile, despite widespread support for stringent immigration enforcement — a cornerstone of President Donald Trump’s campaign — opposition remains vocal and, at times, violent. In a Fox News interview, for example, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) highlighted a 413% surge in assaults on ICE officers. He lamented that Democrats have branded them as domestic terrorists and Nazis, further inflaming tensions.

David Closson, director of Family Research Council’s Center for Biblical Worldview, offered a nuanced perspective. “The recent unrest in Los Angeles, including violent protests over the deportation of illegal immigrants, reflects just how contentious the immigration debate has become,” he told The Washington Stand. “At the same time, the encouraging news is that border encounters have dropped significantly, showing that the administration is finally taking meaningful steps to restore control and uphold the rule of law.”

Closson emphasized a balanced Christian perspective, noting that “compassion never means chaos. Scripture is clear: government exists to reward good and restrain evil (Romans 13). That includes enforcing immigration laws, protecting national sovereignty, and ensuring that those who break the law are held accountable.” He underscored the importance of maintaining justice and order, stating, “Christians should always treat people with dignity, but we must also affirm that entering and remaining in a country illegally — particularly when compounded by criminal activity — undermines justice and order.”

Closson concluded, “The state has not only the right, but the biblical responsibility to protect its citizens and enforce its laws.”