New federal data released Friday portrays a dramatic shift in activity along the U.S. southern border, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reporting its eighth consecutive month of zero migrant releases into the interior of the United States.
The operational statistics for December 2025 and the first quarter of the 2026 fiscal year indicate that border enforcement has reached its tightest levels in decades.
According to the agency, the total number of nationwide encounters for October, November, and December fell to 91,603—the lowest total ever recorded to start a fiscal year.
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The report marks the end of the first full calendar year under the current Trump administration and draws sharp statistical contrasts with the previous administration.
“Month after month, we are delivering results that were once thought impossible,” Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement accompanying the data. Noem credited the drop in traffic to the administration’s specific security policies, describing the current situation as “the most secure border in history.”
A Statistical Plunge
The volume of activity at the southwest border has dropped precipitously compared to recent years. CBP data highlights that the 21,815 apprehensions recorded in the first quarter of FY2026 represent a 95% decrease from the first-quarter average seen during the Biden administration.
For the month of December alone, agents reported 6,478 apprehensions. To put that figure in perspective, the agency noted that the total number of apprehensions for the entire month was lower than the volume processed in just four days in December 2024.
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The daily average for apprehensions in December sat at 209. CBP officials stated this is a 96% reduction compared to the daily average under the prior administration.
Zero Releases and Parole
A central metric emphasized in the report is the number of migrants released into the U.S. pending court dates. For the eighth month in a row, the U.S. Border Patrol reported “zero parole releases.” In comparison, the report notes that in December 2024, over 7,000 individuals were released by Border Patrol agents.
CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott praised the workforce for what he termed a “new standard” for security.
“The men and women of CBP are demonstrating what’s possible through unwavering commitment and effective enforcement,” Scott said.
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Drug Seizures and Trade
While migration numbers have bottomed out, enforcement activity regarding contraband and commerce remains high. In December, the agency seized more than 39,000 pounds of illicit drugs nationwide. This haul included 12,833 pounds of methamphetamine and 865 pounds of fentanyl.
The agency also highlighted its role in economic enforcement, specifically regarding the implementation of 42 presidential tariff actions. In December, CBP processed $314 billion in imports and identified $28.4 billion in owed duties. Since January 20, the agency has collected a total of $297 billion in tariffs, taxes, and fees.
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