Internal data shows nationwide totals of migrants evading capture have fallen sharply from 2023 highs amid targeted operations and policy shifts.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
New internal figures from U.S. border enforcement officials indicate a steep decline in the number of migrants classified as “got-aways,” with current levels far below those recorded during peak periods in 2023.
According to information cited by Breitbart News, data provided by a source within Customs and Border Protection shows the national average of known got-aways has fallen by 97 percent compared to prior highs. Daily figures that once exceeded 2,000 during 2023 have dropped to fewer than 50 on most days.
Over a recent 14-day period in April, officials recorded a total of 640 known got-aways nationwide. The figures are based on intelligence compiled by Border Patrol agents, including field observations such as footprints, along with information gathered through interviews, surveillance systems, and public reporting.
Earlier enforcement data, referenced in a prior report, showed that more than 400,000 migrants were categorized as known got-aways within the first six months of fiscal year 2023. That earlier total reflected the scale of enforcement challenges at the time, when crossings and evasion rates were significantly higher.
Officials say multiple coordinated operations across southwest border sectors have contributed to the recent decline. One initiative, known as “Operation Agile Shield,” involves the temporary reassignment of approximately 200 Border Patrol agents to the Laredo, Texas region, where high volumes of commercial traffic are believed to create opportunities for smuggling activity.
“Laredo is a unique environment where more than 10,000 commercial trucks enter the United States daily, that many semi-tractor trailers entering the country and leaving the area is a draw for smugglers,” the source said. “We patrol industrial parks where alien smuggling is likely to occur, colonias just outside the incorporated area of the city, and on remote ranches.”
Authorities use a combination of surveillance tools to track unauthorized crossings, including radar-equipped camera systems, aerial monitoring platforms, and citizen tips, in addition to on-the-ground patrol observations.
Border enforcement data also reflects broader shifts in overall activity. Customs and Border Protection reported more than 2 million apprehensions along the southwest border during 2023, averaging over 170,000 arrests per month at that time.
In contrast, figures for fiscal year 2026 show a marked reduction. Between October and March, CBP reported 42,757 arrests, bringing the monthly average down to just over 7,000—a decline of approximately 95 percent compared to 2023 levels.
Officials attribute the changes to a combination of operational adjustments and policy developments. According to the source, messaging about enforcement consequences has influenced migrant behavior. “They know release at the immediate border is not happening anymore,” the source said.
Data from the Department of Homeland Security indicates that March 2026 marked the tenth consecutive month in which no migrants were released directly at the border, reflecting a continuation of current enforcement practices.
Officials say efforts are ongoing to further reduce the number of individuals evading capture, though challenges remain as smuggling networks adapt tactics in response to enforcement measures.
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