CNN’s Chief Data Analyst Harry Enten remarked on Saturday that there is likely to be a negative net migration to the US. In the trajectory of the campaign, President Donald Trump emphasized topics that connected with voters, such as immigration, inflation, and the economy. While mentioning how the administration has stuck to its campaign promises, Enten noted a predicted drop in immigration by “at least 60%.”
“That’s not the only way Trump is changing America,” Enten pointed out. “Another significant point he campaigned on was immigration. Look at net migration to the US; it’s down by at least 60%. We might actually see negative net migration to the US by 2025.”
“We’ve been discussing numbers around 2.8 million people in 2024,” Enten continued. “Trump has always campaigned on tariffs and a hardline stance on immigration, and both issues have led to the highest tariff rates seen this century, echoing early 20th-century trends.”
As the border crisis peaked during the Biden-Harris administration, the US felt the repercussions of millions of undocumented immigrants entering the country. Cities like New York and Denver struggled under the pressure, with resources stretched thin, and some mayors even took legal action against the administration seeking assistance.
Concerns like drug trafficking, tragic incidents resulting in American deaths, and the reporting of hundreds of thousands of missing immigrant children also marked the Biden administration’s tenure.
Since taking office, Trump has signed a series of executive orders addressing borders and drug cartels, implementing measures enabling mass arrests of undocumented immigrants. Notably, the number of illegal crossings hit a record low of just 25,228 encounters in June, according to Customs and Border Protection data.
Alongside immigration, Enten drew attention to Trump’s trade policies. When a CNN host inquired about Trump’s tariff strategy, Enten clarified that the president has maintained a consistent approach.
“No, I don’t believe that’s accurate, Omar. The point of this segment is important. What are we discussing? There’s no ‘Trump taco.’ The effective tariff rate is at 18%, the highest since the 1930s. Last year, it was only 2%.”
“This starts with tariffs. He mentioned raising them, and he’s actually followed through. The current effective tariff rate is nine times what it was last year — the best rate since the 1930s under FDR, Omar.”
Enten continued to highlight that Trump had already signed 180 executive orders in 2025, while President Joe Biden issued just 77 in his first year.
“Donald Trump is reshaping the United States,” Enten concluded. “I find it fascinating, and he undoubtedly possesses a significant historical impact.”
