The latest figures from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) show a dramatic decline in the number of Cubans crossing the U.S. borders illegally in April 2025, with only 130 individuals recorded. This represents a significant drop compared to previous months and years.
The CBP report highlights a downward trend in Cuban migration across U.S. land borders throughout the 2025 fiscal year, particularly when considering earlier months. In March 2025, there were 132 illegal crossings, while February saw 150. This sharp decrease contrasts with the fiscal year 2024, where April saw 17,873 illegal crossings by Cuban nationals.
Comparatively, the drop is even more striking against earlier years. During the same month in fiscal year 2023, there were 9,465 reported illegal entries by Cubans, and in 2022, the number soared to 35,092.
Overall Border Trends
The U.S. southwest border exhibits a similar pattern. In April 2025, the total number of migrant encounters was 12,035, which is significantly less than the 179,737 recorded in April 2024.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised the drop in border detentions on social media platform X, crediting President Donald Trump's leadership. "Border apprehensions between the United States and Mexico have plummeted by 93% under President Donald Trump's administration, according to new CBP data released Monday," she stated.
Operational Control: Point of Entry and Interior
CBP has introduced a new strategy to categorize apprehensions into two key areas: At the Point of Entry and In the Interior. This classification offers a clearer picture of how operational control is being maintained both at the border and within the country.
"At the Point of Entry" refers to interdictions along the border or during the transit of an illegal migrant to their intended destinations. These frontline areas have already seen a marked decrease in crossing attempts, thanks to the current U.S. administration's sustained deterrence and enforcement policies.
"In the Interior" encompasses broader operations beyond these corridors. These efforts aim to disrupt illegal activity wherever it occurs, enhancing safety in communities across the United States. A prime example is Operation Black Tide, the largest joint immigration operation in Florida's history, which took place in late April with CBP's support, resulting in 1,120 arrests in just one week.
For April 2025, the Border Patrol documented 8,383 apprehensions along the southwest border, with 906 classified as interior cases. This reflects a 93% decrease compared to the 128,895 apprehensions recorded in April 2024. On average, there were 279 daily apprehensions, including 30 interior cases, down from 4,297 per day a year ago.
Understanding the Decline in Cuban Migration
What caused the decrease in Cuban illegal crossings in April 2025?
The decline is attributed to stricter border enforcement policies and operational strategies implemented by the U.S. administration, which have deterred illegal crossings.
How does the April 2025 data compare to previous years?
April 2025 saw only 130 Cuban crossings, a stark contrast to the 17,873 in April 2024, 9,465 in 2023, and 35,092 in 2022.
What is Operation Black Tide?
Operation Black Tide is the largest joint immigration operation in Florida's history, conducted in April 2025, resulting in 1,120 arrests with CBP's support.