Michael Knowles Says Trump’s Immigration Plan Prevented Millions of Illegal Crossings Compared to Biden-Era Numbers

Top Points

• Knowles said the Trump administration’s immigration plan prevented millions of illegal crossings: He argued that policies such as Remain in Mexico, tightened asylum rules and expanded enforcement significantly reduced attempted unlawful entries.

• Knowles contrasted this with the Biden administration, which he said has allowed two to three million illegal immigrants to cross the border each year: He attributed this rise to Biden reversing Trump-era policies and weakening enforcement measures.

• Knowles said the difference proves that immigration outcomes are driven by policy choices, not external circumstances: He argued that strong enforcement deters mass migration, while lenient policies create incentives for large-scale illegal entry.

Full Report:

On a recent episode of The Michael Knowles Show, host Michael Knowles argued that the Trump administration’s immigration policies dramatically reduced illegal border crossings and prevented what he described as “millions” of attempted entries into the United States. Knowles contrasted this with what he characterized as significantly higher levels of illegal immigration under President Joe Biden.

Knowles Says Trump’s Policies Prevented Mass Illegal Immigration

Knowles told his audience that the Trump administration’s combination of border wall expansion, Remain in Mexico protocols, tightened asylum standards and immigration enforcement partnerships with Mexico and Central American governments resulted in steep declines in attempted illegal crossings. According to Knowles, these policies “kept millions of illegal aliens from entering the country” by removing incentives and limiting the ability of migrants to cross, be released or claim asylum without scrutiny.

Knowles described the Trump-era approach as “clear, aggressive and effective,” arguing that it reduced both illegal crossings and the influence of cartels that profit from smuggling operations.

Knowles Contrasts Trump With Biden’s Border Record

Knowles then compared these policies with the Biden administration’s approach, which he said has allowed “two to three million illegal immigrants a year” to enter the United States. He argued that policy reversals such as ending Remain in Mexico, reducing interior enforcement and suspending certain Trump-era agreements contributed to what he called “unprecedented levels of illegal migration.”

Knowles presented this contrast as evidence of the consequences of policy differences. In his view, Trump’s strategy prioritized deterrence and enforcement, while Biden’s approach created incentives for large-scale unlawful migration.

Knowles Says Policy Determines Outcomes, Not Circumstances

Throughout the episode, Knowles stressed that the contrast between administrations demonstrates how immigration outcomes depend on political will and policy design rather than economic or humanitarian conditions alone. He argued that migration pressures exist in every era, but the scale of border crossings is largely determined by how a sitting administration chooses to respond.

Knowles said that the Biden-era surge illustrates the dangers of weakening enforcement and expanding pathways for entry without corresponding controls.

Knowles Frames Immigration as a Central Issue of National Security

Knowles concluded by telling his audience that the immigration debate is not simply a matter of resource management or humanitarian concern, but a major national security and sovereignty issue. He argued that controlling who enters the country is essential to maintaining order, curbing cartel activity and preventing exploitation of migrants.

According to Knowles, the sharp contrast he draws between the Trump and Biden administrations shows that immigration policy will continue to be a defining issue in national politics.

References

• The Michael Knowles Show. Episode discussing Trump-era immigration policies compared to Biden-era border outcomes. Daily Wire.

• Knowles, Michael. Commentary on illegal immigration numbers, enforcement strategies and policy contrasts between administrations. The Michael Knowles Show, Daily Wire.

• United States Department of Homeland Security. Public data referenced indirectly in discussions of annual immigration estimates.