THE WEEK’S US BORDER NEWS IN BRIEF:
During the week of September 21–27, 2025, news regarding U.S. border security and immigration highlights attacks against ICE facilities, a military response by the Trump Administration, and historically low illegal border crossings in recent months.
Enforcement actions and a military response
Trump orders military response in Oregon: In response to protests at Portland, Oregon ICE facilities, President Trump announced on TruthSocial that he has directed the Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, “to provide all necessary troops to protect war-ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists.”
Chicago-area crackdown: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducted an immigration enforcement “blitz” in the Chicagoland area, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) making multiple arrests.
Assaults on federal agents: In Dallas, a lone gunman who targeted ICE Agents unloading detainees from a van, shot three migrants instead - killing one and critically injuring two others - before taking his own life.
Arrest of school superintendent: In Iowa, ICE arrested the superintendent of the state’s largest school district, stating that he was in the country illegally.
Immigration Statistics & Policy Changes
Encounter data: Despite a 38% increase from July to August, Border Patrol apprehensions at the Southwest border remain at some of their lowest levels in decades. The August encounter figure was just 6,321 people along the entire border.
H-1B Visa Restrictions: Following a September 19 presidential proclamation, the administration implemented a new $100,000 fee for employers filing new H-1B visa petitions for workers outside the U.S.. This action, effective September 21, applies only to new petitions and sparked confusion and criticism over its potential impact on U.S. competitiveness.
FINALLY, IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
(Stories covered by US Border News during the past week)
Illegal crossings from Mexico into the US plunge
91% decrease in a year
Off both US East & West Coasts
(Without killing anyone)
I am committed to delivering a US Border Newsletter that is not only educational and insightful but also engaging and easy to digest in five minutes or less.
(How am I doing? Let me know in the comments!)
Abrazos,
Jack Beavers
