WASHINGTON — The Trump administration says the dramatic collapse in illegal border crossings is continuing, with federal officials reporting zero releases at the border for a 15th consecutive month and southwest Border Patrol apprehensions down 94 percent from the monthly average recorded during the Biden administration.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection released the latest figures Thursday, August 13, 2026, highlighting another month of historically low apprehensions along the southwest border.
According to CBP, Border Patrol agents apprehended 9,295 people along the southwest border in July, a 6 percent decline from June.
Nationwide Border Patrol apprehensions totaled 11,298 during July, down 1 percent from the previous month.
DHS said July’s southwest border apprehensions were 94 percent below the monthly average during the Biden administration and 96 percent below the December 2023 peak.
Federal officials also offered another striking comparison: fewer migrants were apprehended along the southwest border during the entire month of July 2026 than Border Patrol encountered during just six days in July 2024.
DHS said fiscal-year-to-date southwest border apprehensions through July are now lower than the average number apprehended during a single month between fiscal years 1992 and 2024.
The administration credits the decline to President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies.
“Again this month, the results are clear: President Trump’s border security agenda is restoring order and putting the safety of the American people first,” DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said.
Mullin said DHS remains focused on enforcing immigration laws, securing the border and quickly removing people who enter the United States illegally.
CBP Commissioner Rodney S. Scott similarly credited enforcement policy and Border Patrol personnel for the results.
“Clear policy, strong enforcement, and dedicated frontline personnel are delivering results at our borders,” Scott said.
DHS said the government has now recorded 15 consecutive months with zero releases at the border.
The administration’s report also showed a substantial increase in narcotics seized by CBP.
Nationwide seizures of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl and marijuana during July were 26 percent higher by weight than in July 2024, according to the agency.
Through July, CBP said it has seized 54 percent more drugs during the current fiscal year than during the corresponding period of fiscal year 2024.
Agents and officers seized 1,054 pounds of fentanyl in July, up 3 percent from June.
Heroin seizures jumped 20 percent from June, with CBP reporting 79 pounds intercepted during July.
The agency is also responsible for inspecting vast quantities of goods entering the United States and enforcing tariff and trade laws.
CBP processed approximately $342 billion worth of imports during July and identified approximately $23 billion in duties for collection.
Federal agents also stopped 300 shipments valued at more than $83 million because of potential forced-labor violations.
Counterfeit goods remained another major target.
CBP said it seized approximately 2.9 million counterfeit items during July with an estimated value exceeding $2 billion.
Agricultural inspections also produced thousands of enforcement actions.
CBP agriculture specialists issued 6,554 emergency action notifications involving restricted or prohibited plant and animal products during July.
The agency reported 114,147 positive passenger agriculture inspections and issued 704 civil penalties or violations to travelers accused of failing to declare prohibited agricultural products.
The latest figures are being touted by the administration as evidence that the sharp border surge seen during the previous administration has been reversed through tougher enforcement and immigration policies.
DHS says apprehensions are now at levels not seen in more than three decades while its zero-release streak has reached 15 months.
With all the lies coming from the White House, how can we believe anything they say?