The border transforms from years of chaos to silence as Trump takes over

Published February 13, 2025 6:30am ET



MCALLEN, Texas — President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown has effectively halted illegal immigration at the southern border, particularly in one region that has historically been the busiest crossing spot in the country.

The Rio Grande Valley of South Texas has historically been a haven for human smuggling, cartel activity, and drug trafficking, but on Wednesday, this stretch of border with Mexico was quiet.

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