The Department of Homeland Security reported historically low illegal border crossings and sharply increased drug seizures along the Southwest border.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The Department of Homeland Security announced Friday that no illegal border crossers have been released into the United States for 12 consecutive months, marking what the agency described as the most secure border conditions in modern U.S. history.
According to a DHS news release, the Trump administration credited aggressive enforcement policies for driving illegal crossings to record lows while increasing narcotics seizures nationwide.
“Twelve 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 said in the statement.
“The days of catch and release are over. We are enforcing the nation’s laws and sending illegal aliens back to their home countries,” Mullin added.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott also highlighted the sharp decline in illegal crossings compared to previous years.
“What a difference, America!” Scott said. “The U.S. Border Patrol released zero illegal aliens into our country again this month, unlike April 2024 when more than 68,000 were released under President Biden.”
“Every minute of every day, President Trump’s border security policies are making every American safer,” Scott added.
The department stated that daily apprehensions along the Southwest border have declined 95% compared to levels recorded during the Biden administration.
According to DHS, April saw 8,943 illegal immigrant apprehensions along the southern border, a figure the department said was roughly equivalent to only three days of crossings during the final year of the Biden administration.
The agency reported that Border Patrol averaged 298 apprehensions per day in April, representing a 94% reduction from the average daily rate under the previous administration.
DHS also noted that at the peak of illegal crossings during December 2023, Border Patrol agents encountered an average of 336 migrants per hour.
The department said the current level of enforcement has produced 15 consecutive months with fewer than 9,000 illegal immigrant apprehensions monthly.
According to the release, overall Southwest border apprehensions since the start of the current fiscal year on Oct. 1 are down 37% compared to the monthly average recorded between 1992 and 2024.
Federal officials additionally credited the administration’s border strategy with increased narcotics interdictions.
DHS stated that nationwide seizures of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and marijuana combined increased 60% in April compared to the same month in 2024.
Heroin seizures reportedly rose 73% compared to March 2026, while methamphetamine seizures increased 63%.
Customs and Border Protection agents seized 463 pounds of fentanyl during April, according to the release.
The department stated that Border Patrol and CBP have seized 61% more drugs during the current fiscal year through April compared to the same period in fiscal year 2024.
The release also stated that drug seizures are running 53% higher than the average during the same period over the previous four years.
DHS contrasted the current figures with statistics released during the Biden administration.
A May 2024 release from the House Homeland Security Committee reported approximately 179,000 Southwest border encounters during April 2024 and projected nationwide encounters could reach 10 million during that fiscal year.
That report also noted that border encounters in April 2024 had nearly doubled compared to April 2021.
The Trump administration has continued emphasizing detention, expedited removals, expanded deportation operations, and stricter asylum enforcement as central components of its border security strategy.
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