FALSE

Is the U.S. Southern Border 'Wide Open' with No Enforcement?

The Claim

The U.S. southern border is wide open — there is no enforcement and anyone can walk in.
Repeated by multiple politicians and commentators, 2024–2025

Verdict

Customs and Border Protection recorded over 2 million enforcement encounters in fiscal year 2023 — the highest on record — demonstrating active enforcement at scale. While illegal crossings reached record highs, describing the border as having "no enforcement" contradicts documented CBP operations, deportations, and Title 42/Title 8 expulsions.

Sources