AdvertisementSKIP ADVERTISEMENTYou have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load.Border Crossings Have Plummeted.
Stephen Miller Isnāt Satisfied.Mexico has cooperated to significantly slow the flow of migrants. The new White House chief of staff insists it is not enough.The San Ysidro Port of Entry in Tijuana last year, when unlawful border crossings dropped to as low as 150 to 200 per day.Credit...Alejandro Cegarra for The New York TimesNov.
13, 2026, 5:00 a.m. ETSince President Trump resumed office, the number of illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border has dropped to the lowest point in decades.For one of Mr.
Trumpās top policy advisers, that is not enough.In conversations with both American and Mexican officials over the last several months, Stephen Miller has insisted that illegal border crossings must be reduced, according to officials in both countries familiar with the private conversations but not authorized to discuss them.Mr. Millerās goal, they said, is zero crossings.
Mexican officials have said that, with a nearly 2,000-mile border, that is simply not possible.In his new role as chief of staff, Mr. Miller is expected to continue driving that agenda.One of the main forums for Mr.
Millerās demands has been his near daily calls with the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Ronald āJohnson, some of the officials said. On calls with staff, Mr.
Miller, previously the deputy chief of staff, frequently rails about the number of border crossings, despite their low figures, the officials said.That has been especially true in recent months, they said, as border crossings increased slightly, to the highest point in Mr. Trumpās second term.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.
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