The number of people apprehended by U.S. authorities, either attempting to cross the southwest border illegally or presenting themselves at a port of entry, declined for the fifth consecutive month, according to new figures released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Just over 45,000 people were apprehended in October, down from a spike of 144,000 in May — an almost 70 percent decline.
Authorities also report a significant demographic shift among those apprehended.