AP analyzes ZIP-code data on over 4.5 million border migrants released since 2018

In a June 2025 FOIA request, AP sought anonymized CBP data on every person released at the Mexican border, requesting ZIP-code, nationality and other characteristics while omitting names to avoid privacy exemptions. After months of negotiation, CBP delivered records for 5,619,982 arrests between October 2018 and July 2025, which AP trimmed to 3,652,313 entries that included destination ZIP codes. A later release added 858,537 migrants who entered through official ports from 2021 to 2024 via the CBP One system.

Combining the sets yielded 4,510,850 migrants, of whom about 100,000 were assigned to ZIP codes containing ICE detention or correctional facilities. Notable clusters appeared in Karnes County, Texas, and a Dallas ZIP code with nearly 19,000 Venezuelan migrants, though some addresses may not reflect actual residence. AP used the data to map settlement patterns and visited communities such as Salt Lake City and Cincinnati for further reporting.