Trump Administration Hits 16 Months With Zero Border Releases

The Trump administration has achieved a 16-month streak of making zero releases of individuals apprehended at the U.S.-Mexican border, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Wednesday.

According to a statement provided to Fox News Digital, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated that this sustained period demonstrates the effectiveness of President Donald Trump's border security policies. "Catch and release is over, consequences are back, and illegal crossings have fallen to historic lows," Mullin said. "President Trump made a promise to the American people that he would make America safe again, and he has done just that by giving us the most secure border in American history."

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Rodney Scott emphasized the operational aspect, stating, "Border security starts with knowing who and what is entering our country – and controlling it on behalf of the American people. That means people who cross illegally are apprehended, detained and removed – not released into the United States. Our agents are enforcing that standard every day."

In August, U.S. Border Patrol apprehended 8,870 individuals along the Southwest border, a 5% decrease from July. These numbers represent a 94% reduction compared to the average monthly apprehensions during the previous administration. DHS reported zero parole releases in August, in contrast to over 10,000 releases in August 2024 under the Biden administration.

Beyond apprehensions, other law enforcement metrics at the border have also shown significant increases. Fiscal year drug seizures have risen by 73% compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year, and are up 61% compared to the average of the last four years. Cocaine seizures alone increased by 28% in August, with CBP and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) seizing over 120,000 pounds of precursor chemicals in the same month.

This period also saw the commencement of construction on a section of border wall in Arizona in August, part of a $46 billion initiative to enhance southern border security with steel bollard walls, vehicle barriers, and technology. However, construction faced legal challenges from the Tohono O'odham Nation, who argued it would damage sacred tribal lands. A federal judge ultimately ruled in favor of the government, allowing construction to proceed on federally owned land within the Roosevelt Reservation.