The Trump Administration is reporting 16 straight months with zero releases on the border.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Border Patrol has not released illegal aliens apprehended at the border during that period.
“Sixteen straight months of zero releases at the border proves that President Trump’s policies are working,” said DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. “Catch and release is over, consequences are back, and illegal crossings have fallen to historic lows. This is what a secure border looks like.”
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the decline in illegal border crossings and apprehensions have reached levels not seen in more than 30 years.
The southwest border saw monthly apprehensions at 94 percent lower than the monthly average of the Biden administration.
“Border security starts with knowing who and what is entering our country—and controlling it on behalf of the American people,” said CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott. “That means people who cross illegally are apprehended, detained and removed—not released into the United States. Our agents are enforcing that standard every day.”
CBP reported 5 percent fewer southwestern border apprehensions in August than in July. Apprehensions were 97 percent below the peak of the Biden administration in December 2023 and less than the number apprehended in five days in August 2024.
The U.S. Border Patrol made zero parole releases in August, while those under Biden totaled 10,186 in August 2024.
CBP also noted a significant increase in drug seizures. CBP’s fiscal year drug seizures are 73 percent higher than under Biden in 2024. It has also removed 61 percent more drugs than it did on average in the previous four years. Fentanyl seizures totaled 773 pounds and cocaine 6,724 pounds in August.
