WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- The number of illegal immigrants arrested along U.S. borders dropped 23 percent during the past nine months -- evidence , officials said , that stepped-up enforcement is working . Mexican families swim and wash cars along the banks of the Rio Grande at the U.S. border in Juarez in June . The Border Patrol captured 695,841 people nationwide in the first three quarters of fiscal year 2007 , down from 907,445 for the same period the previous fiscal year , or a 23 percent drop , said Border Patrol spokesman Michael Friel . Arrests along the U.S.-Mexico border declined by 24 percent , he said . Border Patrol officials said the reasons for the change are varied and complex , but Friel said , `` We 're clearly seeing a deterrent . '' One factor cited by officials is the end of the practice of releasing non-Mexican immigrants , pending court hearings . The Border Patrol captured 50,349 non-Mexican illegal immigrants nationwide in the nine-month period ending June 30 , down from 89,952 during the same period of fiscal 2006 . That 's a 44 percent decrease . The decrease was 48 percent for non-Mexican illegal immigrants along the U.S.-Mexico border . Other factors include the 6,000 National Guard troops patrolling along the Southwest border , more detention space and enhanced enforcement in the interior , Friel said . Outside economic , political and social factors also are `` always involved '' in fluctuating levels of immigrants seeking entry into the United States , he said . Last month , opponents effectively killed President Bush 's long-fought and emotion-laden immigration bill in the Senate when members voted against advancing the legislation . The bill aimed to create a path to citizenship for some of the 12 million illegal immigrants and to toughen border security . Supporters and opponents of the legislation said that it probably wo n't be resurrected until the 2008 elections are over . E-mail to a friend . CNN 's Mike M. Ahlers contributed to this report .
Illegal immigrants captured on U.S. borders down 23 percent in nine months . The number of illegal aliens apprehended by the Border Patrol fell to a record low last month as more than 50,000 people were caught trying to cross into Mexico illegally, according to figures released Thursday by Immigration and Official : Use of National Guard troops along Southwest border may be a factor .