Trump Vowed to Slow Border Crossings. Now They’ve Hit a 12-Year High

When border crossings went down after Donald Trump's inauguration, the White House was quick to take credit. Speaking at a press briefing in April of 2018, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen noted that the Administration had seen a "precipitous drop" in unlawful border crossings.

"This 'Trump effect,' as many of you have referred to it and we have as well, on illicit border activity was undeniable," she said.

When border crossings went down after Donald Trump's inauguration, the White House was quick to take credit. Speaking at a press briefing in April of 2018, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen noted that the Administration had seen a "precipitous drop" in unlawful border crossings. "This 'Trump effect,' as many of you have referred to it and we have as well, on illicit border activity was undeniable," she said.