El Paso, Texas: The US-Mexico border city of El Paso has recorded its lowest migrant crossing levels in nearly five decades, according to official data from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The sharp decline — attributed to stricter immigration policies in both Washington and Mexico City — has dramatically altered the city’s social and economic landscape.
Officials say daily crossings have dropped by nearly 68% compared to last year, following a coordinated enforcement drive that included increased border patrol presence, faster deportation processes, and Mexico’s expanded role in deterring migrant flows. While the decline has eased pressure on temporary shelters and aid facilities, it has also triggered economic strain for local businesses that once catered to humanitarian operations and transient populations.
“We haven’t seen such quiet streets in decades,” said Luis Herrera, a café owner near the downtown shelter district. “It’s peaceful, yes — but for many of us, business has slowed because the support networks and NGOs aren’t as active as before.”
Economists estimate that El Paso’s humanitarian and cross-border service economy, including logistics, transport, and low-wage labor markets, has shrunk by over 20% since early 2024. Meanwhile, the city is redirecting resources toward tourism, retail, and downtown revitalization projects to offset the downturn.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) credits policy changes — such as tighter asylum screening and expanded use of the CBP One app — for reducing illegal entries. At the same time, Mexico has increased patrols in northern border states, responding to joint US diplomatic pressure.
However, human rights groups caution that the apparent calm masks deeper humanitarian challenges. “Migrants are not disappearing; they’re being rerouted through more dangerous desert paths,” said Rosa Gutierrez, director of the Border Kindness Network, warning of “a rise in off-grid movement and silent suffering.”
According to UNHCR estimates, over 1.7 million people attempted crossings across the entire US-Mexico border in 2024, though only a fraction reached entry points like El Paso. Analysts suggest that while reduced crossings may temporarily ease political pressure, long-term migration trends will depend on Central America’s economic conditions and U.S. election-year policies.
The slowdown has given El Paso a momentary reprieve — a rare quiet after years of migration surges — but locals say the city’s identity as a border community built on movement and exchange is being fundamentally reshaped.
