Border arrests plunge nearly 95% and releases hit zero under Trump-era policies
U.S. Customs reports a 94% drop in illegal border crossings and more than 16 months with no migrants released into the interior.
Data reviewed by Customs and Border Protection indicates illegal crossings have collapsed to historic lows, with total apprehensions for FY26 falling to just under 137,000, a 94.47% decrease from the previous high. September recorded roughly 8,900 arrests and marked the 16th consecutive month without any migrant released into the U.S. interior. DHS Secretary highlighted the sustained zero-release streak as evidence that the Trump administration’s stricter policies are effective.
Unaccompanied alien children apprehended dropped from over 137,000 in FY23 to slightly above 7,600 in FY26. Officials said children are now sent to Health and Human Services for expedited deportation rather than being released to families or traffickers. The decline also reportedly undermines cartel smuggling operations that previously relied on large migrant flows.
Why it matters
The sharp fall in border arrests and releases signals a major shift in U.S. immigration enforcement and its impact on migrant flows.
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