Here's what's happening to illegal alien crossings after a historic decrease

Have illegal border crossings increased?

Yes, illegal border crossings have shown a large increase after a historic decrease since the inauguration of President Donald Trump. Experts believe that an increase in illegal alien apprehensions signal an increase in illegal alien crossings.

How much have they increased by?

In a report from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, illegal border crossings are shown to have increased beginning in March until the present day. In March, there were 16,591 apprehensions, which increased to 30,567 apprehensions in August.

That's an increase of nearly 100 percent from March, after a precipitous fall since the inauguration.

Is this normal?

Seasonal averages show that there is an increase normally after January, but as the graph from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows below, the current number of apprehensions is almost near the previous low in 2012.

Border apprehensions (Source: U.S Customs and Border Protection)

How does this relate to President Trump?

Many attributed a fall in apprehensions before March to the border enforcement rhetoric of the president since the inauguration. Some are now speculating that illegal aliens may be surging into the U.S. since many of the policies that Trump promised have not come to fruition.

Some think that Trump's recent overtures to protect DACA recipients may lead to more border crossings from illegal aliens, but defenders of the president say his deal securing more border enforcement will help keep illegal immigration down.