America's southern border has undergone a truly remarkable transformation under President Trump's leadership. After inheriting a crisis of unprecedented proportions, President Trump has delivered on his promise to secure our nation against illegal immigration in record time.
When President Trump took office this January, he inherited a border crisis of Joe Biden’s making. Border crossings had reached historic highs with over 2.2 million official encounters reported in fiscal year 2022.
However, the unofficial and probably more accurate number for each year of the Biden administration is truly head spinning. Communities across our southern states were overwhelmed, law enforcement was stretched beyond capacity.
And what’s more, it wasn’t just border states. The illegal fentanyl and drugs streaming into our country across the open border ensured that every state suffered from Joe Biden’s failures.
American sovereignty was under direct assault.
President Trump, in his first few months, did what Joe Biden told us couldn’t be done. He secured the border and fixed Biden’s crisis.
In the first quarter of 2025, border apprehensions have fallen by an estimated 63% compared to the same period last year. This dramatic reduction didn't happen by accident – it resulted from having a president who wanted to control the border and implemented a comprehensive strategy that prioritizes American security.
The restoration of the "Remain in Mexico" policy has eliminated the self-defeating incentives that encouraged asylum abuse.
No longer can individuals enter our country with dubious claims, disappear into the interior, and never show up for their court dates.
The message is clear: America welcomes legal immigrants who follow our laws, but the days of exploiting loopholes in our immigration system are over. It turns out we didn’t need a new law, as Biden claimed, we just needed a new president.
The failure of our immigration system is starkly illustrated by cases right here in Wyoming.
In April, ICE arrested a Mexican national in Teton County who had been removed from the United States seven times within the past 20 years.
We must prioritize the enforcement of existing immigration laws and ensure that removal orders are meaningful deterrents, not mere suggestions. The safety and security of our citizens depends on our commitment to upholding the rule of law at our borders
Perhaps most significantly, President Trump has restored respect for American sovereignty worldwide.
Smuggling networks that once operated freely now face a coordinated response from U.S. law enforcement, backed by presidential determination to enforce our laws. The cartels that profit from human trafficking have seen their business model severely disrupted.
As a senator from Wyoming, I've consistently supported President Trump's border security initiatives because I understand that border security isn't just a border state issue – it's a national priority.
The criminals, drugs, and economic burden of uncontrolled immigration affect every American community.
The Senate is currently developing President Trump's comprehensive legislative package, known as the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, with the goal of passage by July 4th.
This legislation contains several immigration measures that I believe are essential. The bill provides funding to help finish President Trump's border wall, and gives Border Patrol and ICE agents the resources, technology, and personnel they need to carry out the mission.
I’m a firm believer that we need to give our officers the tools to successfully detain, deport, and deter these illegal terrorists and killers.
The American people were clear last November when they voted and told Washington, D.C. that it is time to fully secure our border and deport illegal aliens.
These provisions give President Trump and his administration the resources they need to continue delivering on this mandate.
President Trump promised to fix our broken border, and he has delivered. The numbers don't lie. Border crossings are down. Drug seizures are up. Law enforcement morale has been restored. And most importantly, Americans are safer.
In just five months since returning to office, President Trump has demonstrated what real leadership looks like. He hasn't wavered in the face of criticism from the political establishment or hostile media coverage. Instead, he has remained focused on his core promise to the American people: securing our border and putting America first.
The transformation at our southern border is a testament to what happens when America elects a leader who means what he says and says what he means.
President Trump is making the southern border great again, and America is stronger for it.
Cynthia Lummis has served Wyoming in the U.S. Senate since 2021.
