The Trump administration closed out the week spotlighting Border Security Victories, with the official @WhiteHouse account declaring: “2025 WILL FOREVER BE THE YEAR TRUMP TOOK AMERICA'S BORDERS BACK.” [1] The message capped a year-end push led by President Donald Trump, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem (DHS), and White House border czar Tom Homan, as the administration argues tighter controls reduced illegal crossings and accelerated removals. [1, 2]
Immigration Enforcement Success: incentives, removals, and a bigger enforcement footprint
On Dec. 22, 2025, DHS announced it would triple the “self-deportation” bonus to $3,000 for undocumented immigrants who leave by Dec. 31, 2025, using the CBP Home program. [3] DHS said 1.9 million people had voluntarily self-deported since January 2025, alongside “tens of thousands” using CBP Home. [3] Supporters inside the administration say the policy reduces detention costs and prioritizes removals of people with criminal records. [3]
Critics—including Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas)—called the enforcement approach “inhumane” and questioned the reliability of reported border numbers in a Dec. 26 interview, arguing the administration has not been “the most honest” with statistics. [4] The White House, through spokeswoman Abigail Jackson, rejected the allegation as a “bizarre conspiracy theory” and said the border is “the most secure in history.” [4]
Trump Administration Policy Achievements: USCIS enforcement metrics and new vetting tools
In a Dec. 22 end-of-year review, USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow said the agency adopted an “America First” posture under Noem, citing 14,400 ICE referrals since Jan. 20, 2025, including 182 confirmed or suspected national-security risks, and about 196,600 Notices to Appear issued to place migrants into removal proceedings. [5] USCIS also reported over 2,400 arrests at field offices since Jan. 20 and said a new vetting center announced Dec. 5 would expand screening. [5]
Civil-liberties advocates counter that expanded vetting, social-media checks, and broader enforcement authorities risk overreach and may chill lawful speech, while litigation over removals and due process continues. [5, 6]
Restoration of Law and Order: crime drops and the administration’s framing
The @WhiteHouse also amplified a second theme—“Restoration of Law and Order”—posting: “Law and order delivered. ALL WE NEEDED WAS A NEW PRESIDENT.” [7] Nationally, analysts reported a sharp 2025 decline in murders, though experts cautioned the trend may not hold in 2026 and warned that community trust and funding levels can affect outcomes. [8]
What’s next
Looking into 2026, Reuters reported the administration plans more workplace raids, expanded detention capacity, and a $170 billion funding boost for ICE and Border Patrol through September 2029, moves supporters say will sustain border gains but opponents warn could intensify backlash and legal challenges ahead of the midterms. [2]
[1] https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/ (post quoted: “2025 WILL FOREVER BE THE YEAR TRUMP TOOK AMERICA'S BORDERS BACK.”) [2] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-set-expand-immigration-crackdown-2026-despite-brewing-backlash-2025-12-21/ [3] https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2025/12/22/immigration-stipend-DHS/1211766422935/ [4] https://www.foxnews.com/media/crockett-accuses-trump-administration-dishonesty-over-border-encounter-numbers [5] https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/making-america-safe-again-us-citizenship-and-immigration-services-end-of-year-review-demonstrates [6] https://www.newsweek.com/judge-hands-down-new-deadline-to-trump-over-deported-venezuelan-migrants-11257915 [7] https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/ (post quoted: “Law and order delivered. ALL WE NEEDED WAS A NEW PRESIDENT.”) [8] https://www.npr.org/2025/12/26/nx-s1-5646596/criminal-justice-experts-explain-why-crime-rates-fell-in-2025