Trump Administration Marks 15 Months of Zero Releases at Southern Border Amid Historic Low Encounters

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported on August 13, 2026, that Border Patrol released zero illegal immigrants into the U.S. interior for the 15th consecutive month, extending a policy of strict enforcement that began around May 2025. Official CBP and DHS announcements confirm the streak, with July apprehensions 94% below prior administration averages and fiscal year 2025 southwest border encounters totaling around 443,671—far below the over 2 million seen in each of the previous two years.[1][2]

This outcome aligns with broader data showing FY2025 southwest border apprehensions at their lowest level since 1970, with monthly figures dropping as low as a few thousand in some periods.[3][4] DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin has repeatedly highlighted the results as evidence of restored order under President Trump’s agenda, crediting robust enforcement, expanded infrastructure like barriers and surveillance towers, and record Border Patrol staffing of 21,471 agents.[5]

Complementary ICE operations, such as Operation Safe Community in Georgia and record daily arrests in Texas, target criminal noncitizens, reinforcing removal priorities. These developments connect to the agency’s 2025–2029 strategy emphasizing technology and physical barriers. Independent reporting from Border Report echoes the zero-release policy, noting that apprehended individuals face detention or immediate removal rather than release.[6]

While official data dashboards and releases provide primary corroboration, the sustained low numbers have implications for ongoing debates over border infrastructure funding and enforcement resources.