Border Crossings Drop Nearly 50% After Immigration Crackdown in Los Angeles

Los Angeles residents are seeing a significant change in immigration enforcement as a recent federal crackdown on criminal undocumented immigrants has coincided with a sharp drop in border crossings. The Department of Homeland Security reported that since its targeted operations began in early June, apprehensions and gotaways at the southern border have declined by almost half.

The enforcement operation, launched on June 6 by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, focused on removing individuals with serious criminal records from Los Angeles, a sanctuary city. Between June 1 and June 22, Border Patrol apprehended 5,414 individuals—down from 9,577 in May. Likewise, the number of migrants who evaded capture, referred to as “gotaways,” fell to 986 in June from 2,123 in the prior month. Officials attribute the declines to a growing perception among migrants that illegal entry now carries higher risks of arrest and deportation.

The effect extends beyond just a one-month window. From February through June 22 of this year, border apprehensions totaled 37,518 compared to nearly 600,000 during the same period in 2024. Similarly, the number of gotaways dropped from more than 94,000 last year to just under 12,000 this year. Federal officials credit the Trump administration’s renewed emphasis on strict immigration enforcement, particularly in sanctuary jurisdictions like Los Angeles.

DHS leadership under Secretary Kristi Noem has emphasized the removal of individuals with serious criminal records, including those convicted of violent and sexual offenses and drug trafficking. The administration argues that targeting these populations improves public safety and deters illegal immigration. For residents, this policy may result in increased ICE activity within the city, as well as greater scrutiny for those suspected of being in the country unlawfully.

Article by multiple contributors, based upon information from a press release issued by the Department of Homeland Security

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