June saw a significant decrease in migrant encounters at the U.S. southern border, reaching the lowest levels in two years. Official figures show 144,571 encounters, a stark contrast to the 207,834 encounters in June of the previous year and 189,034 in June 2021. This decline comes after the expiration of the Title 42 public health order in May and the implementation of the Biden administration's new border strategies.

While these numbers are still high compared to pre-2020 figures, they represent a substantial drop from the 206,702 and 211,999 encounters recorded in May and April respectively. Many experts had predicted a surge after Title 42's end, which allowed for the rapid expulsion of migrants. However, the administration coupled the end of Title 42 with a two-pronged approach: increased border security measures and expanded parole programs for migrants.

A core element of the Biden administration's new strategy is an asylum rule that deems migrants ineligible for asylum if they entered the U.S. illegally and didn't seek asylum in other transit countries. The administration has also increased the use of expedited removals and "credible fear" screenings. A key component of this strategy is the requirement for migrants to schedule an appointment through the CBP One app. The number of daily appointments available through the app has been increased to 1,450, up from the initial 1,000.

Beyond border measures, the administration has implemented other programs to facilitate legal pathways. These include allowing 30,000 individuals monthly from Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela, and Nicaragua to fly directly into the U.S., establishing processing centers in Central America, and expanding a family reunification program. These policies have drawn criticism from both sides of the political spectrum, with some arguing they restrict asylum rights and others claiming they constitute an abuse of the parole system.

The Biden administration contends that the lower encounter numbers validate their approach, highlighting a 42% decrease in Border Patrol encounters of illegal migrants from May to June. However, critics like former acting ICE Director Thomas Homan argue that the numbers remain significantly higher than during the Trump administration and that the administration's use of parole is unprecedented and potentially unlawful.

In response to the ongoing situation, some Republican-led states have taken independent action. Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently deployed a water barrier to deter illegal crossings, while both Texas and Florida have continued their programs of transporting migrants to "sanctuary" cities.