U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has released its operational statistics for April 2025, showcasing significant changes in border enforcement and drug seizures. Acting Commissioner Pete Flores highlighted the increased field presence of agents, stating, "For the first time in years, more agents are back in the field—patrolling territories that CBP didn’t have the bandwidth or manpower to oversee just six months ago."
April's statistics reveal a substantial decrease in illegal crossings, with only five individuals temporarily allowed into the U.S. for special interest court cases, compared to approximately 68,000 during the same month last year. CBP has implemented a new strategy by categorizing apprehensions into two areas: At Entry and At Large. This approach aims to provide a clearer understanding of how operational control is being established.
The report shows that Border Patrol recorded 8,383 apprehensions along the southwest border in April 2025, with 906 classified as at large—a significant drop from 128,895 apprehensions in April 2024. The average daily apprehension rate fell from 4,297 per day last year to 279 per day this year.
CBP also reported an increase in drug seizures nationwide in April, with cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and marijuana seizures rising by 15% from March. Notably, methamphetamine seizures increased by 30%, and CBP seized 758 pounds of fentanyl.
In trade operations, CBP processed over three million entry summaries valued at more than $284 billion. The agency continues efforts to eliminate goods made with forced labor from China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. In April alone, CBP stopped shipments valued at over $3.65 million for further examination based on suspected forced labor use.
Counterfeit goods remain a focus for CBP enforcement; they seized counterfeit products valued at more than $502 million across 2,613 shipments in April.
CBP also enforces tariffs effectively under presidential actions and collected $37.9 billion in tariff revenue since January 20th through legal authority and advanced systems.
Additionally, CBP completed audits identifying $117 million owed to the U.S. government due to improperly declared imported goods.
CBP remains committed to protecting America's agriculture and economic prosperity while enhancing national security through innovation and collaboration.
