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State Department cites steep drop in southwest border crossings and describes DSS role in deportation coordination
Summary
A spokesperson credited an administration policy with sharp drops in illegal crossings at the U.S. southern border and described how the Diplomatic Security Service is partnering with DHS on enforcement and deportation implementation; reporters were referred to DHS for specific operational questions.
A State Department spokesperson credited the administration’s border policies with large reductions in illegal entries at the Southwest border and in the Darién route to the United States, and described coordination between the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) and the Department of Homeland Security on deportation implementation.
The spokesperson cited administration figures claiming that illegal crossings at the Southwest border fell 94% in March 2025 versus the prior March and that crossings through the Darién fell 99.5% over the same period. The spokesperson said those results reflect enforcement, regional cooperation and deterrence measures.
On deportation and interagency work, the spokesperson said that DSS is partnering with DHS on "implementation guidance and mandatory training" tied to enforcement authorities and that on Feb. 18 the Department of Homeland Security delegated Title 8 authorities to DSS. The spokesperson described DSS’s primary mission as protecting diplomatic assets and personnel and investigating transnational crimes connected to visa and passport fraud and human trafficking, and said those authorities complement enforcement priorities.
Why it matters: Border security and deportation policy affect immigration flows, bilateral relations with transit countries, and the operations of multiple U.S. agencies. The delegation of certain authorities to DSS touches on interagency roles in enforcement.
Details from the briefing: The spokesperson referred reporters to DHS and to state and local task forces for operational questions about specific flight operations or task‑force activities. The spokesperson emphasized DSS’s law‑enforcement role in protecting diplomatic facilities and investigating travel‑document fraud.
What was not disclosed: The briefing did not provide underlying data for the cited percentage drops, the operational protocols for deportation flights, or detailed plans for ongoing cooperation with transit countries. The spokesperson directed reporters to DHS for those specifics.
Forward look: The State Department said interagency cooperation will continue and that DHS would be the primary source for operational details on deportation flights and task‑force actions.
