The article titled "The Era of Mass Unrestricted Migration is Ending," published on February 24, 2025, by Alex Berenson on his Substack Unreported Truths,
https://alexberenson.substack.com/p/the-era-of-mass-unrestricted-migration
discusses the perceived shift in global immigration policy, with a focus on the United States under Donald Trump's second administration. Berenson, a former New York Times reporter turned independent journalist, argues that both illegal and legal migration are facing significant clampdowns, framing this as a long-overdue correction to years of lax borders.
Berenson asserts that "illegal immigration is dead" and legal migration may soon become "a lot harder." He ties this shift to Trump's re-election in November 2024 and his administration's early actions in 2025, suggesting a broader global trend away from unrestricted migration. The subtitle, "And not a moment too soon," reflects his approval of this change, aligning with his broader scepticism of progressive policies.
Berenson highlights Trump's campaign promises—mass deportation and strict border enforcement—as now taking shape. He notes that within weeks of Trump's January 20, 2025, inauguration, illegal border crossings have plummeted, attributing this to deterrence from anticipated enforcement rather than detailed evidence of specific measures.
He mentions Trump's renewed push for the border wall, though he doesn't specify progress beyond rhetorical commitment. This echoes Trump's first-term focus, which saw partial construction but fell short of a complete barrier.
Berenson suggests Americans, and possibly others globally, are "fed up" with unchecked inflows, leaning on a narrative of voter backlash that fuelled Trump's win. He describes scenes of "empty border camps" and reduced migrant caravans, implying that word of Trump's policies has spread, deterring would-be crossers from Central America and beyond.
Berenson contrasts this with the Biden years (2021–2025), which he claims saw over 10 million illegal entries. He doesn't unpack the data but uses it to underscore a crisis now being reversed. Berenson predicts tighter controls on legal pathways like H-1B visas (for skilled workers) and green cards, aligning with Trump adviser Stephen Miller's long-standing push for reduced immigration overall. He doesn't cite specific policy proposals but implies they're imminent.
He briefly nods to Europe, mentioning leaders like the UK's Keir Starmer facing pressure to curb inflows, though he offers no specifics beyond their "panicked statements." Of course, these so-called leaders merely follow the orders of the globalists and keep the mass immigration flood waters surging.
Unlike some restrictionists, Berenson avoids deep economic arguments (e.g., wages or welfare costs), keeping his focus on sovereignty and political will, which is a good strategic move. Building on earlier posts (e.g., January 22, 2025's "Why can't the left understand restrictions on immigration?"), he accuses liberals of clinging to open-border ideals despite public rejection. He mocks their framing of migrants as "undocumented" rather than "illegal," a recurring jab in his work.
He implies a cultural elite—media, Democrats, NGOs—has ignored voter sentiment, losing credibility as a result. This ties to his broader narrative of distrust in institutions, a thread from his Covid scepticism. Berenson sees this shift as nations "taking back control," a populist refrain.
He ends by asking if legal migration's overhaul will match illegal immigration's collapse? By late February 2025, Trump's administration is five weeks old. Immigration is a flagship issue, with figures like Tom Homan (border czar) signalling aggressive enforcement. Berenson's piece reflects this early momentum. Europe's rightward shift (e.g., Germany's AfD gains, UK's post-Brexit tightenings) lends credence to his claim of a wider movement, but there is a long way to go yet before we can truly say that the era of mass immigration is over.