Border apprehensions drop during coronavirus pandemic

Apprehensions of undocumented immigrants at the southwest border dropped in March amid the global coronavirus pandemic, according to figures released Thursday by Customs and Border Protection.

The Border Patrol apprehended 29,953 people last month, a 0.4 percent decline from 30,074 in February.

The number of people turned away at ports of entry, however, plummeted 38 percent compared to the previous month.

U.S. authorities turned away 3,984 people at regular ports of entry in March, after turning away 6,440 people in February.

The significant drop in failed attempts to legally enter the United States likely reflects increased travel restrictions in Northern Mexico, as well as new policies that allow border agents to more quickly reject approaching would-be migrants.

President Trump announced March 20 that the border was closed to all nonessential travel, in response to the coronavirus pandemic.