Every great civilization throughout history has understood one fundamental truth: without the rule of law, there is only chaos. For too long, Americans watched as this principle was abandoned at our southern border. Breaking federal immigration law became less consequential than a parking ticket. The establishment told us this was compassion, progress, the new normal we must accept.

But what happens when a nation finally decides its laws matter again? What happens when criminal behavior once again carries criminal consequences? The answer is unfolding before our eyes. And let me tell you – it’s making the previous administration’s failures look even more catastrophic by comparison.

Trump’s Justice Department Delivers Historic Reversal

The numbers now emerging from Trump’s Department of Justice represent nothing short of a seismic shift in American immigration enforcement. In June alone, federal prosecutors filed more than 3,000 felony cases against illegal immigrants for unlawful reentry. These are people who were deported but brazenly attempted to return. Another 3,200 cases were filed for simple illegal entry.

Let me repeat that – over 6,000 criminal cases in a single month. Meanwhile, Biden couldn’t be bothered to prosecute even 1% of violators.

From ‘The Blaze’:

Tom Homan — Trump’s border czar — said earlier this month, “As a matter of fact, the total number of encounters is less than half of a single day under Biden on many days. Also, none of the 6,070 were released into the U.S. ZERO.”

“President Trump has created the most secure border in the history of the nation, and the data proves it,” Homan declared. “We have never seen numbers this low. Never.”

To understand the magnitude of this change, consider this: Trump’s DOJ is now prosecuting over 50% of all border arrests. FIFTY PERCENT. From less than one. The first three months of 2025 alone saw 7,660 illegal reentry prosecutions. That’s nearly double the rate from the same period in 2024. You can’t make this stuff up.

Why Criminal Consequences Change Everything

Want to know why this works? It’s simple. Criminals hate jail time.

Andrew Arthur, a former immigration judge, puts it perfectly: “If I get deported, I get deported. I go back and try again. But when it comes to prosecutions, now you’ve got a federal conviction.” He continues, “If you’re coming here illegally to live and work, being in a federal penitentiary for two years isn’t going to allow you to do that.”

The conviction rate for these cases? An astounding 99%. Turns out, enforcing the law actually works. Who knew? These aren’t complex cases requiring months of investigation. When someone has been deported and is caught here again, the violation is clear-cut. Most end in plea deals. The defendants don’t even contest their deportation after serving time.

Outsmarting the Sanctuary Resistance

Oh, and here’s my favorite part. The criminal prosecution strategy completely neutralizes the sanctuary city movement. You know, those places that have long frustrated immigration enforcement? While these jurisdictions refuse cooperation on civil immigration matters, they almost always comply with criminal proceedings.

By bringing criminal charges, Trump’s DOJ forces even the most resistant localities to participate. It’s genius, really. No more hiding behind local politics.

The results speak for themselves. Georgia’s Northern District went from prosecuting just a handful of cases monthly under Biden to 45 in May. Massachusetts jumped from one case per month to 43. Even sanctuary strongholds can no longer serve as safe havens for immigration lawbreakers. Remember when they said this couldn’t be done?

The transformation extends beyond prosecution numbers. “Gotaways” – illegal immigrants who escape into the country undetected – have plummeted by 90%. Let that sink in for a moment. Ninety percent! The White House projects this fiscal year will see the fewest illegal immigrant encounters in five decades.

Key Takeaways

• Trump’s DOJ prosecuted over 3,000 illegal reentry cases in June alone – more than Biden did in months
• Criminal prosecution rates jumped from under 1% to over 50% of all border arrests
• Even sanctuary cities must cooperate when illegal immigration becomes a criminal matter
• Border encounters dropped 90% as criminals finally face real consequences

Sources: The Blaze, The Washington Times