The White House pointed to new Census Bureau estimates showing a sharp slowdown in international migration across the country, casting the data as evidence that President Donald Trump’s border and immigration policies are having a major impact.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, every metropolitan area in the country recorded lower immigration rates during the year ending July 1, 2025, compared with the previous year. The data also showed widespread declines in net international migration across states and counties nationwide.
The drop was particularly notable in several regions. In Laredo, immigration slowed to near standstill levels. El Centro, which has historically served as a gateway into California, recorded net losses to international migration. Larger metro areas such as Denver and Chicago also saw sharp declines in immigration rates.
Administration officials said the trend reflects the impact of stricter border enforcement and broader immigration policies implemented under the president’s “America First” agenda. They argued the data represents a reversal from prior years, when immigration played a larger role in population growth across many parts of the country.
More broadly, the Census Bureau reported slowing population growth across U.S. metro areas, with reduced international migration cited as a key factor. Some analysts have noted that while the decline may reflect policy changes, it could also have longer-term economic implications for cities that have relied on immigration to support workforce growth.
The White House framed the figures as a major milestone, pointing to what it described as historically low levels of illegal border crossings and a shift in migration patterns nationwide.