President Trump’s border policies led to a staggering 96.4% drop in San Diego Sector migrant apprehensions, forcing the closure of a 1,000-capacity processing center and triggering mass layoffs at local NGOs that once served the overwhelming migrant population.
Key Takeaways
- San Diego Sector migrant apprehensions plummeted from 1,090 to just 38 daily in March 2025, a 96.4% decrease from the previous year
- The 1,000-capacity San Diego Sector Soft Sided Facility has been completely dismantled due to lack of need
- Catholic Charities and the San Diego Rapid Response Network were forced to lay off 188 employees as migrant shelters became unnecessary
- Trump administration’s strict border enforcement policies effectively ended the previous “catch and release” approach
- House is processing a significant spending bill allocating over $150 billion for enhanced border security, detention, and deportations
Dramatic Decline in Border Crossings Transforms San Diego Sector
The once-overwhelmed San Diego Sector Border Patrol has witnessed a remarkable transformation in 2025, with daily migrant apprehensions plunging from over a thousand to mere dozens. This dramatic shift has rendered large-scale processing facilities obsolete, prompting officials to dismantle infrastructure built during the border crisis of the previous administration. The change represents a tangible victory for President Trump’s border security agenda, which promised to restore order to America’s southern border.
“Due to the unprecedented decrease in illegal crossings this year, the massive 1,000 person, San Diego Sector Soft Sided Facility has been dismantled,” said San Diego Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Jeffrey Stalnaker.
The closure of the facility, announced just before Memorial Day weekend, symbolizes the effectiveness of President Trump’s hardline approach to border security. During March 2025, Border Patrol agents in the San Diego Sector apprehended only 38 migrants daily on average—a staggering 96.4% decrease from the 1,090 daily apprehensions recorded during the same period last year. This dramatic reduction demonstrates the real-world impact of policy changes following the end of the previous administration.
NGOs Face Layoffs as Migrant Support Services Become Unnecessary
The ripple effects of President Trump’s successful border policies have extended beyond government facilities to the network of non-governmental organizations that once supported the massive influx of migrants. Catholic Charities and the San Diego Rapid Response Network, which operated shelters and provided services to migrants released into the United States, have been forced to dramatically scale back operations and lay off staff as their services are no longer needed at previous levels.
A total of 188 employees between these two organizations have lost their jobs—a direct consequence of the drastic reduction in illegal border crossings. While these job losses are unfortunate for the individuals affected, they represent significant taxpayer savings and reflect the success of policies aimed at deterring illegal immigration. The reduced need for migrant services and processing facilities indicates that fewer people are attempting dangerous border crossings, potentially saving lives.
Nationwide Border Security Transformation
The changes in San Diego mirror developments across the southern border, with similar facilities closing in Texas and other states. The massive migrant processing centers established during the previous administration, which cost American taxpayers approximately $10 million per month to operate in South Texas alone, have been deemed unnecessary following the policy shifts implemented under President Trump. His administration has effectively ended what he termed the “catch and release” approach to immigration enforcement.
Meanwhile, the House is currently processing a comprehensive spending bill that would allocate over $150 billion for enhanced border security measures, including detention facilities, deportation operations, and additional personnel. This substantial investment demonstrates the administration’s commitment to maintaining the gains made in border security and preventing a return to the chaotic conditions of previous years. The bill includes funding for border barriers, increased security personnel, and other measures designed to prevent unauthorized entry.
A Clear Policy Success
The dramatic reduction in illegal border crossings represents one of the most visible policy successes of President Trump’s administration. By implementing a coherent and strict approach to border enforcement, the current administration has effectively addressed a crisis that had overwhelmed resources and communities across the southern border. The closed facilities and laid-off NGO workers are tangible evidence that the border policies are having their intended effect.
For taxpayers who bore the financial burden of processing, housing, and providing services to hundreds of thousands of migrants, these developments represent both immediate and long-term savings. The $10 million monthly operating costs for South Texas facilities alone translated to substantial government expenditures that can now be redirected to other priorities or returned to taxpayers. The transformation of the border situation demonstrates that strong policies, consistently applied, can effectively address even the most challenging national security issues.
