The number of encounters between Border Patrol agents and migrants at the southwest border inched higher in August but remains far lower than last year, Customs and Border Protection data released Monday shows.

There were 107,503 encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border last month, up 3.3% from July but down 53.9% from 232,963 in August 2023, according to CBP.

Nationwide, migrant encounters were down 6.5% compared to July and 47.7% compared to 12 months prior. 

The number of encounters has fallen sharply since President Joe Biden signed an executive order in June closing the border when it becomes overwhelmed and barring migrants who cross the border unlawfully from receiving asylum.

Encounters between points of entry in August were around 58,000 — 68% lower than a year ago, CBP said. Meanwhile, Border Patrol is on track to record the lowest number of annual arrests along the southwest border since the 2020 fiscal year.

The White House touted the report, saying in a statement the Biden-Harris administration took “effective action” after congressional Republicans killed a bipartisan-negotiated border security bill earlier this year.

Added Troy A. Miller, acting Customs and Border Protection commissioner: “CBP continues to enforce the Securing the Border interim final rule and deliver strong consequences for illegal entry, and encounters between ports of entry remain at their lowest level in years. Through the work of our dedicated personnel, this enhanced enforcement posture is meaningfully disrupting the operations of deadly transnational criminal organizations.”

Border Patrol agents seized 30% more narcotics in August than in July, the agency said. 

Since Biden’s order, the Department of Homeland Security has removed or returned more than 131,000 individuals to more than 140 countries, including operating over 400 repatriation flights. The number of individuals returned or removed in the past year is at its highest level since 2010, according to officials.

Migrants may still seek entry into the United States through approved pathways, including making online appointments through the CBP One app.

Former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee in November’s presidential election, has repeatedly hammered Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, over their border policies. 

In a post on his Truth Social platform Monday, Trump wrote: “OUR BORDERS MUST BE CLOSED, AND THE TERRORISTS, CRIMINALS, AND MENTALLY INSANE, IMMEDIATELY REMOVED FROM AMERICAN CITIES AND TOWNS, DEPORTED BACK TO THEIR COUNTIES OF ORIGIN.”

Harris has said, if elected, she will try to revive the bipartisan security bill, which would add 1,500 agents at the border, install 100 machines to detect and stop fentanyl smuggling, and hire 100 new immigration judges to cut the wait time for asylum proceedings.

Former President Donald Trump had urged GOP lawmakers to reject the agreement, reportedly because he wanted to campaign on unsolved border issues. Republicans in Congress, however, insisted it made too many concessions to Democrats.