The Trump administration shutters a key migrant center in San Diego following historic lows in border crossings, ramping up enforcement while critics warn of legal and humanitarian consequences.
SAN DIEGO — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced the closure of a soft-sided migrant processing facility near Brown Field in San Diego, citing a dramatic decline in illegal border crossings in the region. The facility, built in January 2023 under the Biden administration, was designed to handle migrant surges that never materialized under current enforcement conditions.
“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 Acting Chief Patrol Agent Jeffrey Stalnaker. In March 2025, the San Diego Sector recorded 1,199 migrant arrests—down from over 3,400 the year before—marking a 186% decline.
Nationwide Enforcement Measures
The closure coincides with a wider trend. According to CBP data, illegal crossings nationwide reached a record low of approximately 7,181 in March 2025—a 95% drop from March 2024. The Trump administration attributes this to a hardline immigration policy that includes deportation quotas, heightened interior enforcement, and enhanced border surveillance.
Since President Donald Trump’s return to office on January 20, more than 100,000 unauthorized migrants have been deported, according to the Department of Homeland Security. In contrast, only nine individuals have been released into the U.S. under immigration custody during the same period—a 99.9% reduction compared to the previous year.
Policy Initiatives and Military Deployment
The administration has reinstated the “Remain in Mexico” program and declared a national emergency at the southern border to expedite wall construction. More than 10,000 active-duty and National Guard troops have also been deployed to reinforce Customs and Border Protection operations across key border sectors.
On June 4, President Trump expanded the administration’s travel restrictions, signing a proclamation banning or limiting entry from 19 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Haiti, and Venezuela. The White House said the move was to “ensure the integrity of America’s immigration system.”
Record Arrests and Rising Legal Battles
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported over 2,300 arrests nationwide on June 3, the largest single-day total since Trump resumed office. Many of those arrested were identified through workplace raids and targeted detainers.
Critics, including immigrant advocacy groups and civil rights lawyers, have filed legal challenges questioning the constitutionality of the mass raids and fast-track deportations. A federal judge recently blocked the administration’s attempt to deport migrants to South Sudan, citing failure to provide due process and potential risk to the deportees.
Shifting Border Dynamics
The closure of the San Diego migrant processing center marks a symbolic and strategic pivot in how the U.S. government approaches border enforcement. For the Trump administration, the sharp decline in illegal crossings is viewed as validation of its approach. But for immigration scholars and humanitarian observers, the long-term sustainability of enforcement-first policies remains in question.
“Migration patterns are influenced by a complex interplay of factors, and policy measures often have limited long-term effects due to these underlying dynamics,” said Hein de Haas, a prominent migration scholar and co-director of the International Migration Institute.
With the 2026 midterm elections on the horizon, immigration is shaping up to be one of the most politically charged issues of the cycle. A sweeping tax and immigration bill—currently pending in the Senate—includes over $150 billion in border enforcement funding and is a centerpiece of the administration’s legislative agenda.
The debate over that bill, and the real-world impact of the administration’s policies on families, border communities, and the national economy, is already rippling far beyond the border.
