U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has reported that for the eighth consecutive month, there have been no releases of migrants at the border, according to operational statistics released for December 2025. The agency attributes these results to policies under President Donald Trump.
“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and the dedication of DHS law enforcement, America’s borders are safer than any time in our nation’s history. What President Trump and our CBP agents and officers have been able to do in a single year is nothing short of extraordinary,” said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. “Once again, we have a record low number of encounters at the border and the 8th straight month of zero releases. Month after month, we are delivering results that were once thought impossible: the most secure border in history and unmatched enforcement successes.”
CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott also commented on the achievement: “Our agents and officers have set a new standard for border security, achieving historic results that speak for themselves. The men and women of CBP are demonstrating what’s possible through unwavering commitment and effective enforcement and will continue to ensure the safety and security of our nation’s borders every single day.”
Data from October through December 2025 shows a total of 91,603 encounters nationwide—the lowest figure recorded for this period in any fiscal year to date. This represents a 25% decrease compared to the previous low recorded in fiscal year 2012.
U.S. Border Patrol reported 21,815 apprehensions along the southwest border during this first quarter—95% lower than average quarterly figures seen under the previous administration.
December saw 30,698 total encounters nationwide—a number that is 92% below the highest monthly figure reached during the Biden administration—and just 6,478 Border Patrol apprehensions on the southwest border for December, marking a reduction of 96% compared with prior monthly averages.
The daily average for Border Patrol apprehensions along the southwest border was 209 per day in December—also down by 96% compared with daily averages during the previous administration.
There were no parole releases reported by U.S. Border Patrol during December; by comparison, more than seven thousand individuals were released under similar circumstances in December two years earlier.
CBP remains active in drug interdiction efforts as well. In December, agents seized over 39,000 pounds of illicit drugs across several categories: fentanyl seizures totaled 865 pounds; methamphetamine seizures reached nearly 12,833 pounds; cocaine accounted for about 3,793 pounds; heroin totaled approximately 164 pounds; marijuana seizures came to over 14,400 pounds.
In its role overseeing trade policy enforcement and economic security measures, CBP processed $314 billion in imports during December alone while identifying $28.4 billion owed in duties. From January through December last year, total collections from tariffs, taxes, and fees amounted to $297 billion.
CBP officials say these measures help enforce trade laws while protecting U.S. economic interests.
For more detailed statistics on border encounters or drug seizures visit CBP's Stats and Summaries webpage or Drug Seizure Statistics webpage.
