Washington D.C. – U.S. Border Patrol has not released any individuals apprehended for illegal entry into the interior of the United States for 13 consecutive months, according to new data released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This streak, which extends through May 2026, marks more than a year without any releases by Border Patrol following apprehensions at the southwest border. Federal officials have attributed this sustained outcome to enforcement policies implemented under President Donald Trump’s administration.
"Thirteen straight months of ZERO releases at the border. Under President Donald Trump’s leadership, we are delivering the most secure border in American history." — DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin issued a statement regarding the achievement, emphasizing the administration's commitment to border security. "Thirteen straight months of ZERO releases at the border. Under President Donald Trump’s leadership, we are delivering the most secure border in American history," Secretary Mullin stated. He further added, "The days of catch and release are over." According to DHS, all individuals apprehended by Border Patrol during this 13-month period were processed under applicable immigration laws, rather than being released into the country while awaiting further legal proceedings.
CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott also commented on the figures, presenting them as clear evidence that the administration’s border strategy is yielding significant results. "This milestone, coupled with historically low illegal crossings, demonstrates our unwavering commitment to securing our nation," Commissioner Scott said in a statement.
The agencies' report indicated that Border Patrol recorded 9,998 apprehensions along the southwest border during May 2026. Officials noted that this figure represents a 94% decrease compared with the monthly average recorded during the previous administration. Furthermore, the May total was 96% lower than the peak monthly apprehension levels reported during that prior period, according to CBP data. In May, Border Patrol averaged 323 apprehensions per day, a rate officials said was lower than the hourly apprehension rate observed during previous peak periods.
The report also highlighted that the total number of apprehensions recorded during the entire month of May 2026 was less than the total recorded during just three days in May 2024. Fiscal year-to-date apprehensions through May were also significantly lower than historical averages. According to CBP, total southwest border apprehensions during the current fiscal year were 26% lower than the average number recorded during a single month between fiscal years 1992 and 2024. Officials stated that this sustained decline has pushed illegal border crossings and apprehensions to levels not observed in more than three decades.
Data from the previous administration, as referenced by officials, showed substantially higher numbers of both encounters and releases. During some peak months, southwest border apprehensions were reported to exceed 200,000, with releases into the interior of the country reaching tens of thousands, according to government figures. In contrast, recent monthly apprehension totals have consistently remained in the low thousands, generally ranging between approximately 6,000 and 10,000.
Beyond apprehension and release statistics, the report also detailed increases in several categories of drug seizures. Combined nationwide seizures of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and marijuana increased by 32% by weight compared with May 2024, according to CBP. Specifically, fentanyl seizures totaled 795 pounds during May 2026, marking a 72% increase from the previous month. Marijuana seizures averaged 37,033 pounds per month over the preceding four months, the agency said. Fiscal year-to-date drug seizures through May 2026 were 56% higher than the same period in fiscal year 2024, according to CBP data. Officials concluded that these results reflect what they described as continued progress in border security, drug interdiction, and trade enforcement efforts by the administration.
