U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has confirmed that it has shut down several temporary illegal alien processing facilities that we set up under former President Joe Biden’s administration.
CBP is no longer operating any of its controversial “soft-sided” migrant processing centers, marking a significant shift in border policy as migrant apprehensions continue to decline under President Donald Trump’s renewed crackdown.
The last of the temporary facilities—set up during the height of the border surge to manage record-breaking numbers of illegal crossings—was shuttered in March near San Diego.
The move signals the Trump administration’s confidence in its recent executive measures to regain control over the Southern Border.
“Due to the unprecedented drop in apprehensions of illegal aliens as a result of the president’s recent executive actions, CBP is not operating any temporary, soft-sided processing facilities,” a CBP spokesperson reportedly told Fox News.
“CBP no longer has a need for them as illegal aliens are being quickly removed.”
The so-called soft-sided centers were built under the Biden administration.
They were designed to handle the overflow of illegal aliens crossing the border, particularly in California, Texas, and Arizona.
However, CBP now says it has transitioned back to using its permanent infrastructure for detentions.
Border Patrol agents from the shuttered temporary facilities have now been redeployed to high-priority enforcement zones previously understaffed.
“The U.S. Border Patrol has full capability to manage the detention of apprehended aliens in USBP’s permanent facilities,” the spokesperson said.
“Manpower and other resources dedicated to temporary processing facilities will be redirected toward other priorities and will speed CBP’s progress in gaining operational control over the southwest border.”
As recently as March 13, CBP announced it was closing five of the soft-sided centers—three in Texas and two in Arizona—while facilities in California and one Texas site remained open.
That changed when the Otay Mesa facility near San Diego, which had opened in early 2023, was officially decommissioned.
Border Patrol’s San Diego Sector posted a video to social media on Sunday showing the removal of equipment and tents from the Otay Mesa location.
Homeland Security followed with a post declaring:
“The world has heard President Trump and Secretary Noem’s message.
“America’s borders are CLOSED to lawbreakers.”
The facilities were criticized for their cost and questioned for their long-term necessity.
They were reportedly costing U.S. taxpayers between $5 million and $30 million per month to operate.
CBP data reflects the impact of recent policy changes.
In April, just over 8,300 apprehensions were reported at the southern border—a dramatic 93% decrease from the same time last year.
Officials say this drop is a direct result of the administration’s tougher enforcement stance and more aggressive removal protocols.
“For the first time in years, more agents are back in the field—patrolling territories that CBP didn’t have the bandwidth or manpower to oversee just six months ago,” said Pete Flores, Acting Commissioner of CBP, in a statement issued May 12.
“But thanks to this administration’s dramatic shift in security posture at our border, we are now seeing operational control becoming a reality—and it’s only just beginning.”
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