CBP Reports Record-Low Border Encounters and First Fiscal Year With Zero Releases
DHS and CBP credited stepped-up enforcement, partnerships, interior removals, new operations, calling the figures preliminary.
Overview
- Preliminary Department of Homeland Security and CBP data for fiscal year 2026 show the lowest annual migrant encounters in agency history with 98,708 southwest apprehensions and 379,243 nationwide encounters.
- CBP said the agency completed its first full fiscal year with zero Border Patrol releases and noted September marked the 17th straight month without releases.
- Agency leaders attributed the drop to a mix of stronger frontline operations, technology and partnerships combined with expanded interior removals by ICE.
- Officials reported a near 80% decline in migrant deaths identified by Border Patrol compared with the prior period, and retired Yuma sector chief Chris Clem contrasted the current numbers with the December 2021 surge that overwhelmed local communities.
- DHS and former officials stressed the data are preliminary and warned that congressional decisions or future policy shifts could change border outcomes while noting that CBP apprehensions, Border Patrol releases and ICE removals are separate measures of enforcement activity.