ZERO migrants released by Border Patrol, 93% drop in illegal crossings as Trump policies take hold

The number of illegal immigrants released into the United States by Border Patrol agents dropped to zero last month, according to internal data reviewed by The Post, marking a stark shift in border enforcement under the Trump administration.

Only 8,725 migrants were caught crossing the US-Mexico border illegally in May, representing a 93 percent drop from the 117,905 apprehended during the same month in 2024, during which more than 64,000 of those migrants had been released into the country. That number fell to zero in May 2025.

Officials attribute the shift to the Trump administration's reversal of Biden-era immigration policies, including the end of catch-and-release.

Under that policy, thousands of illegal immigrants were released into the interior of the United States while awaiting immigration proceedings.

“Under the leadership of this administration, CBP has received historic support resulting in another 93% decrease in illegal crossings along the southwest border this month when compared with last year,” said Acting Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Pete Flores. “Border numbers continue to trend at historic lows, reinforcing the sustained success of our enforcement efforts in securing the homeland and protecting American communities.”

Paul Perez, president of the National Border Patrol Council, said the drop in crossings has enabled agents to return to their core duties on the front lines.
 

"Thanks to the good work of the men and women of CBP and the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Noem, CBP is leveraging authorities to take every step to ensure illegal aliens are expediently removed from the country. In May 2025, the US Border Patrol released 0 illegal aliens into our country—a staggering drop from more than 62,000 that USBP was forced to release along the southwest border in May 2024," the CBP said in its release.

"In May 2025, the Border Patrol encountered 8,725 illegal aliens crossing the southwest border between ports of entry. This was a 93% decrease from May 2024 when USBP encountered 117,905 aliens. Encounter numbers continue to hold at historic lows, reflecting a border that is more secure, more controlled, and hitting unprecedented levels of operational success.

"CBP’s total number of encounters nationwide, including at ports of entry, averaged approximately 952 per day in May 2025—a 2% decrease from April 2025. This was the second lowest average daily number of CBP encounters in history. Along the southwest border in May 2025, CBP’s total number of encounters decreased 93% from May 2024," it states.

With the current drop in illegal entries and zero releases into the US, agents say they are close to achieving “operational control” of the border—something the union and its leadership had long called for during the Biden administration.