Former U.S. Border Patrol chief Raul Ortiz said he believes most Americans would favor an immigration policy closer to the political center. He shared that view in an interview with CBS News, which said the discussion covered changes at the southern border during President Donald Trump’s administration.
Preliminary figures from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) put southwest-border apprehensions at 98,708 in fiscal 2026. The agencies said the total was 95% below the Biden administration comparison they used. EconoTimes previously covered the preliminary tally and Ortiz’s comments on border activity.
The tally counts apprehensions; it does not measure every unauthorized border crossing.
