The Department of Homeland Security announced Friday that Border Patrol agents recorded the lowest number of migrant arrests along the southwest border in the agency’s history during the fiscal year that ended September 30. Agents apprehended fewer than 99,000 migrants crossing illegally between official ports of entry during Fiscal Year 2026, a drop of about 95 percent from the roughly 1.8 million annual average recorded during the Biden administration.
“President Trump promised the American people a secure border, and the data proves he delivered. Over the past year, CBP recorded its lowest numbers in American history. A stark contrast to Biden, where CBP recorded its highest illegal immigration numbers ever,” said DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. “The results could not be clearer: strong enforcement works. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and the hard work of CBP and DHS law enforcement personnel, we have restored control of the border and made America safer than ever.”
On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump signed ten executive orders aimed at securing the U.S.-Mexico border and cracking down on cartel activity. The orders declared a national emergency and directed additional federal resources toward border security, illegal immigration enforcement and drug trafficking interdiction.
Since then, monthly border apprehensions have fallen from a peak of 249,740 in December 2023 to about 8,900 in September 2026, a decline of just over 96 percent from that high point.
“FY 2026 demonstrated what focused enforcement, strong partnerships, and the commitment of our frontline personnel can achieve,” said CBP Commissioner Rodney S. Scott. “DHS and CBP are securing the border, stopping dangerous drugs and criminals, protecting communities, and ensuring our personnel have the resources necessary for this critical mission.”
Total apprehensions for the fiscal year came in at 98,708, which DHS officials described as the lowest level in agency history and 60 percent below the single highest month recorded under the Biden administration.
Preliminary figures also show nationwide encounters across all categories totaled 379,243 for the fiscal year, compared with roughly 2.7 million per year under President Biden, a decline of 88 percent from the record-high 2023 fiscal year.
DHS officials said that over the past 17 months, Border Patrol has released zero migrants into the U.S. interior, marking what the agency called its first full fiscal year with no such releases.
