U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents saw a drop in the amount of people that are crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in the Rio Grande Valley.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents saw a drop in the amount of people that are crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in the Rio Grande Valley.

In March, approximately 16,600 individuals were apprehended. That’s nearly a 30 percent decrease from February, and a 64 percent decrease from the same month in fiscal year 2016.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents from the Rio Grande Valley sector say the dangerous terrain might be why they’re seeing less people crossing into the U.S.

The cost of crossing, both financially and physically, are just one of the reasons why policy makers believe there is a dip in numbers.

“Something that Trump is doing good, that I could never get President Obama to do, is that he kept saying ‘There will be repercussions,” said Congressman Henry Cuellar.

While recent rhetoric from the White House is aggressive, there is another part needed in winning the battle.

“We have the immigration law that has been on the books for several years,” said RGV sector Chief Manuel Padilla. “When you have a policy that supports the enforcement of that law that exists already, and you have a good sound operation strategy that combines the boats, the horses, the ATV’s, the agents and vehicles, you will impact illegal immigration numbers rather quickly.”

While crossings are at an all-time low in 17 years, smuggling attempts have not changed.

“You see the folks that cross becoming less willing to be apprehended if you would,” said RGV sector Chief of Staff John Morris. “They are more willing to resist, more willing to run, which unfortunately makes it more dangerous for them and for us.”

For now, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents will keep putting agents out as a frontline of defense along the Rio Grande.

Correction: This story incorrectly stated the name of the federal agency . It is U.S. Customs and Border Protection, not Customs and Border Patrol.