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Breitbart Texas published an “exclusive” this week saying Border Patrol’s internal records show known “got‑aways” averaged under 40 per day nationwide during a recent 14‑day stretch. That two‑week total — fewer than 550 people — was framed as roughly a 98.5% drop from the chaotic peaks of 2023. Local officers from places like Kinney County and Eagle Pass back up the story with on‑the‑record quotes about far fewer smuggling loads on their roads. The claim rests on an unnamed CBP source, but if correct it is a big deal for border security and for voters watching results, not rhetoric.
Known got‑aways plunging — real progress or headline theater?
The figures are striking: a running average below 40 known got‑aways per day versus daily surges over 2,000 in 2023. Officials point to more Border Patrol agents back on the line, higher staffing levels and state support such as Operation Lone Star as the reason. Call it what you like — enforcement, deterrence, or plain common sense — the mechanics are simple: fewer incentives to cross illegally means fewer attempts to cross illegally. Who knew law and order could reduce illegal crossings? Apparently the answer is: people who live near the border.
What local law enforcement is seeing
Sheriff Brad Coe of Kinney County says his deputies have had only two smuggling incidents on local roads since January. Assistant Chief Humberto “Beto” Garza in Eagle Pass credits a heavy patrol presence for stopping large loads before they hit city streets. These are not Washington press releases; they are the daily reports sheriffs and police file when their counties stop catching cars full of people. For border towns, that on‑the‑ground change is the measure that matters.
Policy lesson: enforcement works — keep it steady
This is a simple policy takeaway: consistent enforcement, faster removals, and a state‑federal posture that denies safe passage cut the profits and the market for smugglers. When illegal entry no longer buys you a one‑way ticket to stay, fewer people take that risk. That result vindicates the shift to tougher border measures, and it should shame the elites who preferred virtue signaling to visible security on the ground. If the goal is fewer got‑aways and safer border communities, backing law enforcement is the correct answer.
Don’t celebrate blind — demand the data
All that said, journalists and the public should ask for the underlying CBP spreadsheet or an on‑the‑record agency confirmation. Breitbart’s scoop relies on an anonymous CBP source and local law‑enforcement quotes, not a public CBP release carrying the exact 14‑day numbers and methodology. That’s a fixable gap. If the numbers hold up under scrutiny, opponents should stop spinning and admit a policy win. If they don’t, we still learned something useful: transparency wins trust, and continued patrols and resources keep border towns safe. Either way, national leaders should lock in what works and keep officers empowered to do the job.
