According to official data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), irregular migration from El Salvador to the United States has decreased by 19.9% in 2024 compared to the same period last year. This decline, measured between January and August, highlights a significant reduction in the number of Salvadorans attempting to enter the U.S. irregularly.

The CBP further reports that this reduction in irregular migration rises to 51.9% compared to figures from 2022. Additionally, a month-on-month comparison shows a 4.6% decrease in August 2024 compared to July 2024.

In August 2024 alone, there were 2,758 recorded encounters of irregular migration from El Salvador at the U.S. border, accounting for just 2.6% of the total irregular migration worldwide. From January to August 2024, a total of 51,072 irregular migrant encounters from El Salvador were registered, representing 2.5% of the global total.

This notable decline is attributed to the positive transformation El Salvador has experienced over the past five years under President Nayib Bukele’s administration. The government’s crackdown on gangs, significant reduction in homicides, and efforts to combat criminal groups have contributed to an improved security climate, curbing the need for irregular migration to the United States.