Trump administration delivers a full year of zero releases at the border

WASHINGTON - Today, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the U.S. Border Patrol's twelfth consecutive month of zero releases at the border, continuing the trend of historically low border crossings.

"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," said DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. "The days of catch and release are over. We are enforcing the nation's laws and sending illegal aliens back to their home countries."

"What a difference America! 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," said CBP Commissioner Rodney S. Scott. "Every minute of every day President Trump's border security policies are making every American safer."

The sustained decline in illegal border crossings and apprehensions-now at levels not seen in over three decades-shows the impact of robust enforcement policies. With daily apprehensions down 95% from the previous administration and 15 consecutive months of fewer than 9,000 southwest border apprehensions, the border remains more secure than at any point in history.

Below is a snapshot of April's key figures. Full monthly reporting can be viewed on CBP's Stats and Summaries webpage.

Border Enforcement at Historic Levels

Illegal crossings in April remained historically low:

• Southwest border apprehensions were 94% lower than under Biden

  • The U.S. Border Patrol's apprehensions along the southwest border in April (8,943) were 94% lower than the monthly average of the Biden administration and 96% below the peak of the Biden administration (December 2023). They were also less than what was apprehended in 3 days in April 2024.

• Border crossings this entire fiscal year to date were lower than the monthly average the last 30 years

  • Total U.S. Border Patrol apprehensions along the southwest border during all of this fiscal year through April were 37% lower than just one month on average from FYs 1992 through 2024.

• Daily average apprehensions in April were 94% lower than under Biden

  • The U.S. Border Patrol's average number of apprehensions per day along the southwest border in April (298) were 94% lower than the daily
  • The number of U.S. Border Patrol apprehensions per day in April was less than a single hour during the height of the Biden administration (336 per hour in December 2023) and less than the number apprehended every 2 hours on average under the Biden administration.

• CBP's total encounters this fiscal year to date are lower than April 2024 alone

  • This fiscal year's encounters (215,876) are 13% lower than in the month of April 2024 alone.

Drug Interdictions That Save Lives

CBP remains on the frontline against drug smuggling, seizing dangerous narcotics before they reach American communities.

Nationwide in April, seizures of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and marijuana (combined, by weight) increased 60% from April 2024. In April 2026, heroin seizures increased 73% compared with March 2026 and methamphetamine seizures increased 63%. CBP seized 463 pounds of fentanyl in April.

CBP has seized 61% more drugs this fiscal year through April than it seized during the same period of FY 2024, and CBP seized 53% more drugs this fiscal year than it seized on average during the last four years in this same period.

Additional CBP drug seizure statistics can be found on the Drug Seizure Statistics webpage.

Trade and Tariff Enforcement

CBP plays a central role in enforcing U.S. trade law and supporting economic security.

• $312 billion in imports processed in April 2026.
• $21.6 billion in duties identified for collection.

Protecting Consumers and Supply Chains

CBP continues to safeguard the American economy by targeting forced labor and counterfeit goods.

• In April, CBP stopped 263 shipments valued at more than $810 million for potential forced labor violations.
• CBP seized a quantity of 2,983,850 counterfeit goods valued at over $1.5 billion.

Agriculture stats/seizures - securing American agriculture

In April, CBP agriculture specialists helped protect America's agriculture, natural resources, and economic prosperity.

• CBP issued 7,181 emergency action notifications for restricted and prohibited plant and animal products entering the United States
• CBP conducted 105,437 positive passenger inspections and issued 690 civil penalties and/or violations to the traveling public for failing to declare prohibited agriculture items.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 69,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air, and on the seas. We enforce safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration, and trust.