Illegal border crossings and apprehensions have dropped to the lowest levels in over three decades, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The southwestern border with Mexico continues to be virtually closed off, with U.S. Border Patrol posting another month of historically low border crossings. The agency marked another milestone in April with 12 consecutive months of zero releases at the border.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection releases monthly figures for border apprehensions and other data. Total encounters this fiscal year to date are lower than April 2024 alone.
CBP Commissioner Rodney S. Scott touted the agency’s success, noting that in April 2024, more than 68,000 illegal immigrants were released under President Joe Biden.
“What a difference, America!” Scott said. “Every minute of every day, President Trump’s border security policies are making every American safer.”
CBP reported 215,876 encounters so far this fiscal year, which began Oct. 1, 2025, and is 13% lower than in April 2024 alone.
Besides border enforcement, CBP has seized 61% more drugs this fiscal year through April than it seized during the same period of Fiscal Year 2024. The agency seized 53% more drugs this fiscal year than it seized on average during the last four years in this same period.
With daily apprehensions down 95% from the previous administration and 15 consecutive months of fewer than 9,000 southwest border apprehensions, the border remains more secure than at any point in history, DHS officials said.
“Under President Donald Trump’s leadership, the days of catch and release are over,” Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced on his X account. “We are enforcing our nation’s laws and sending illegal aliens BACK to their home countries.”
Illegal crossings in April remained historically low, following the dramatic drop that began shortly after President Trump took office in January 2025. CBP said border crossings this entire fiscal year to date were lower than the monthly average the last 30 years.
“In April, illegal apprehensions were 94% LOWER than the daily average under the Biden Administration,” DHS shared on X.
SECURING OUR BORDER.
In April, illegal apprehensions were 94% LOWER than the daily average under the Biden Administration.
Under @POTUS Trump and @SecMullinDHS, we’re enforcing our nation’s laws and keeping Americans SAFE. pic.twitter.com/e81L56ukfS
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) May 19, 2026
In another post, DHS added that “AMERICA IS CLOSED TO LAWBREAKERS. If you enter our country illegally, you WILL face the consequences — including fines.”
AMERICA IS CLOSED TO LAWBREAKERS.
If you enter our country illegally, you WILL face the consequences — including fines.
Under @POTUS and @SecMullinDHS, we are enforcing our nation’s laws. https://t.co/QjL5vEEOHw
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) May 18, 2026
Illegal entry fines range from $100-$500 for unlawful entry, $1,992 to $9,970 for failure to honor a voluntary departure order, and up to $998 per day for willfully failing to comply with a removal order, which the feds are starting to enforce.
Total Border Patrol apprehensions along the southwest border from October 2025 through April were 37% lower than just one month on average from Fiscal Years 1992 through 2024.
Daily average apprehensions were roughly 300 people per day in April — 94% lower than under the Biden administration.
Perhaps more telling, the number of apprehensions per day in April was less than a single hour during the height of the Biden administration — 336 per hour in December 2023 — and less than the number apprehended every two hours on average under the Biden administration, CBP said.
Thanks to funding through the One Big Beautiful Bill, DHS has continued to install sections of Smart Wall and other high-tech capabilities along the border to detect and apprehend illegal crossers.
“Do not cross the border illegally!” CBP warned on X with a video showing illegal crossers captured on surveillance video. “With trained personnel and advanced technology, you have no chance of winning against us at hide and seek.”
Do not cross the border illegally! With trained personnel and advanced technology, you have no chance of winning against us at hide and seek. pic.twitter.com/ZJyA5MoQ9n
— CBP (@CBP) May 19, 2026
CBP also remains on the frontline against drug smuggling, seizing dangerous narcotics before they reach American communities.
Nationwide in April, seizures of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and marijuana increased 60% from April 2024. In April 2026, heroin seizures increased 73% compared with March 2026 and methamphetamine seizures increased 63%. CBP seized 463 pounds of fentanyl in April, CBP reported.
CBP, which is under the umbrella of DHS, offered a snapshot of April’s key figures regarding drug interdictions, tariff and trade enforcement, agriculture seizures and counterfeit goods.
Full monthly reporting is available on CBP’s Stats and Summaries webpage. Additional CBP drug seizure statistics can be found on the Drug Seizure Statistics webpage.
