CNN’s Scott Jennings Fact-Checks Liberal on Border Crossings Under Trump

Republican strategist Scott Jennings pushed back hard against left-wing SiriusXM host John Fugelsang on Thursday after Fugelsang claimed the Trump administration hadn’t shut down the U.S.-Mexico border.

Fugelsang argued that illegal immigration wouldn’t stop unless the government cracked down on employers. “There’s a gigantic ‘help wanted’ sign at our border,” he said. “And the Republican Party will never take that sign down.”

Jennings quickly jumped in. “The border crossings have stopped. They have stopped,” he said, pointing to recent Customs and Border Protection data showing fewer than 9,000 illegal immigrant encounters per month since February — a 90% drop from 2024 levels.

“Literally almost zero,” Jennings added, while Fugelsang tried to interrupt. “They will never—” Fugelsang began, only for Jennings to double down: “Already have stopped, have they not?”

President Trump took executive action right after returning to office in January, including labeling MS-13, the Venezuelan TdA, and major Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

Fugelsang continued attacking the GOP’s employer enforcement policies, claiming, “They’re not going after the employers. The white guy —” before Jennings shot back, “You said if they wanted them to stop. They have stopped.”

According to DHS data, only 137 apprehensions occurred on June 28 — the lowest single-day total in 25 years.

Fugelsang tried once more to tie the issue to race: “They come here because white folks like Donald Trump hire them to avoid paying a living wage,” he said. Jennings cut him off again: “The border is effectively shut down.”