“EXTRAORDINARY”: President Trump Drives Illegal Border Crossings to a New Historic Low
7/2/2025
Action Summary
- Record Low Border Encounters: Border Patrol encountered 6,070 illegal immigrants in June—a historic low, 15% lower than previous records, signaling the strength of current border enforcement.
- No Interior Releases: For the second consecutive month, zero illegal immigrants were released into the country’s interior.
- Single-Day Record: On June 28, a single-day record low of just 137 illegal immigrant encounters was reported.
- Significant Decline in Gotaways: The number of undetected “gotaways” dropped by 90% compared to the same period last year.
- Decade-long Milestone: The current fiscal year is on track for the fewest illegal immigrant encounters in five decades.
- Legislative Opportunity: Congress is urged to approve the One Big Beautiful Bill, which includes funding for:
- Border Wall Completion
- Expansion of Border Personnel
- Enhanced Detention Capacity
- Facilitating up to one million annual deportations
- Comparative Analysis: The report contrasts these results with the Biden Administration’s policies, which saw approximately 10,000 unvetted daily crossings during their peak, often releasing migrants with minimal oversight.
Risks & Considerations
- The Executive Order’s focus on stringent border enforcement and deportation measures could impact Vanderbilt University by affecting the diversity of its student body, particularly international students and those from immigrant backgrounds.
- There is a potential risk of decreased enrollment from international students, which could affect the university’s cultural diversity and the perspectives brought into academic discussions.
- Vanderbilt may need to reassess its support systems for international students and those affected by immigration policies, ensuring they have the necessary resources and guidance.
- The university’s reliance on federal education funds could be impacted if there are shifts in budget allocations towards border enforcement and away from educational initiatives.
Impacted Programs
- International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) at Vanderbilt may need to enhance its support and advisory services to address the concerns and needs of students affected by immigration policies.
- Vanderbilt’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion might need to develop strategies to maintain and promote diversity within the student body amidst changing immigration policies.
- The Peabody College of Education and Human Development could see an increased demand for research on the impacts of immigration policies on education and community dynamics.
- Vanderbilt’s partnerships with international institutions may require reevaluation to ensure compliance with new immigration regulations and policies.
Financial Impact
- The potential decrease in international student enrollment could impact tuition revenue, as international students often pay higher tuition rates.
- Changes in federal funding priorities towards border enforcement could lead to reduced availability of grants and financial support for educational programs.
- Vanderbilt may need to explore alternative funding sources to mitigate any potential financial shortfalls resulting from shifts in federal budget allocations.
- There could be increased costs associated with enhancing support services for international students and ensuring compliance with new immigration policies.
Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents a need for potential major changes or transformations of programs.)
Key Actions
- Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations should monitor developments related to the “One Big Beautiful Bill” and assess its potential impact on the university’s international student population and immigration policies. Engaging with policymakers to advocate for policies that support the university’s diverse community could be beneficial.
- The International Student and Scholar Services should prepare to provide guidance and support to international students who may be affected by changes in immigration enforcement and policies. This includes ensuring compliance with any new regulations and offering resources to help students navigate potential challenges.
- Vanderbilt’s Research Centers focusing on immigration and public policy should consider conducting studies on the impact of stricter border enforcement on communities and the economy. These insights could inform public discourse and policy recommendations.
Opportunities
- The emphasis on border security and immigration enforcement presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Law School to engage in legal research and advocacy related to immigration law and human rights. By providing expertise and analysis, the law school can contribute to shaping fair and effective immigration policies.
- Vanderbilt’s Public Policy Studies Program can leverage this focus to develop courses and seminars on immigration policy, border security, and their implications for society. This could enhance the program’s curriculum and attract students interested in these critical issues.
Relevance Score: 3 (Some adjustments are needed to processes or procedures to address potential impacts on international students and research opportunities.)
Timeline for Implementation
N/A – No specific implementation timeline is provided; the actions depend on Congressional approval of the proposed bill rather than a direct deadline.
Relevance Score: 1
Impacted Government Organizations
- U.S. Border Patrol: As the text highlights record low encounters and improved border enforcement outcomes, it directly impacts the agency responsible for securing the southern border.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) – Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Since the Border Patrol is a component of CBP, which falls under DHS, this agency is integral to executing and managing the enforcement policies described.
- U.S. Congress: The mention of potential legislative action through the “One Big Beautiful Bill” to fund border infrastructure, expand detention capabilities, and increase border personnel directly involves Congress in shaping future border management policy.
Relevance Score: 2 (3-5 agencies are noticeably impacted by the information in the text.)
Responsible Officials
N/A – The article reports on outcomes of existing policies and proposed legislation without issuing any new directive for specific officials to implement.
Relevance Score: 1 (The summary does not contain directives targeting any specific officials.)