Journalist Ali Bradley, known for her boots-on-the-ground reporting, joined Joe Pags to provide firsthand insight into the dramatic changes at the U.S.-Mexico border following President Trump’s return to office. The conversation shed light on the swift shift in immigration policy and the border’s evolving dynamics.
Bradley revealed that the border closure and the removal of the CBP app happened almost immediately after President Trump’s inauguration. “Fifteen minutes,” she noted, was all it took to cancel hundreds of thousands of migrant appointments previously scheduled under Biden’s policies. This abrupt shift left many migrants, exploited by cartels, stranded and in tears. Bradley described witnessing their struggles as “heartbreaking,” underscoring the human toll of border policy changes.
The El Paso border, a hotspot of activity, has seen alternating closures and reopenings, Bradley explained. However, a significant shift has emerged: some migrants are voluntarily returning to Mexico. Bradley attributed this to improved cooperation with Mexican authorities, who appear willing to aid in deportations of their own citizens.
One key development is the renewed vigor of ICE operations under Tom Homan, who led the deportation of 308 individuals on President Trump’s first day. Bradley clarified that these efforts are not random roundups but targeted actions against major criminals, including human traffickers and child predators. “The energy is different,” she said, noting that border agents now feel empowered to enforce the law, a stark contrast to the previous administration.
Discussing safety along the border, Bradley highlighted the changing behavior of cartels, describing a tense atmosphere akin to “the end of Title 42.” While evasions and larger groups persist, agents are now better equipped to address them, making the border less chaotic.
The deployment of 1,500 additional troops to the border has drawn mixed reactions from agents, with Bradley remarking that too many hands in the basket can sometimes complicate operations. Despite this, the shift in focus and enforcement under President Trump has created a “non-story” at the border—where agents can finally do their jobs, making illegal crossings less headline-worthy.
Bradley concluded by emphasizing that the real story lies in how the Biden administration’s policies opened the floodgates, a stark contrast to the stricter enforcement now in place. For Bradley, the current moment represents a critical turning point in the ongoing border crisis.