President Trump’s approach to illegal immigration appears to be working so far, if early numbers are any indication.

A story published Wednesday at the Washington Times highlights Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly’s announcement the same day that, only a month into Trump’s new administration, illegal border crossings are plummeting at an “unprecedented” rate:

All told, 23,589 people were caught trying to enter without permission at the border in February. That was the lowest number for the month in years and a 40 percent drop from the 42,504 caught in January.

In fact, it’s the lowest number for any month dating back at least to 2012, when monthly statistics were first released.

Additionally, the numbers are also surprisingly low for a winter month, when desert border crossings are typically higher than the warmer months. The decrease in overland passage has, however, led to increased prices for black market coyote crossings, according to the same statement.

“The early results show that enforcement matters, deterrence matters, and that comprehensive immigration enforcement can make an impact,” Kelly went on, explaining the numbers drop. He echoed Obama critics’ objections to the previous administration’s laissez faire demeanor on immigration enforcement.

It would appear that enforcing the law while making it know that the law will be enforced actually deters people from breaking it. Who knew?!

The numbers are just from the first few weeks of President Trump’s term, but they serve as a stark rebuke to critics of the Trump’s strong public stance on illegal immigration during and after the campaign.

They also serve to counter the protests of Obama boosters who held up the former president’s deportation stats as evidence of a viable policy to combat illegal immigration.

Sure, he sent millions back; but by failing to effectively communicate anything serious about immigration to his citizens and those that sought to enter the country without consent, he may as well have left out a great welcome mat along the southern border, begging people the world over to disregard our laws and our sovereignty.

If people think they can get away with breaking a law and benefit from it, some (many) are going to do it. It’s that simple. In this specific instance, failing to enforce immigration policy in word perversely encourages people to put their lives and wellbeing at risk to cross a desert, all the while ticking people off and costing people national elections. The law has to be enforced, not only in deed, but in word.

For all the flak that Trump has gotten from the open borders Left about his tough talk on immigration, the numbers just don’t lie. Republican legislators, take note. (For more from the author of “Border Crossings PLUMMET as Trump Remains Tough on Illegal Immigration” please click HERE) http://joemiller.us/2017/03/border-crossings-plummet-trump-remains-tough-illegal-immigration/