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Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Friday that America’s border is now the “most secure” in history, citing newly released data showing an eighth consecutive month with zero parole releases along the southwest border.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Noem highlighted Customs and Border Protection (CBP) statistics for December 2025, attributing the success to President Trump’s leadership and the efforts of frontline law enforcement personnel.
“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,” Noem wrote. “What President Trump and our CBP agents and officers have been able to do in a single year is nothing short of extraordinary.”
The latest data represents a stark contrast to December 2024, when the Biden administration reported 7,041 parole releases along the southwest border. This shift reflects the dramatic policy changes implemented since Trump returned to office.
According to CBP figures, total nationwide border encounters for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 (October through December) fell to 91,603—the lowest ever recorded at the start of a fiscal year and 25% below the previous record low set in 2012.
December alone saw just 30,698 encounters nationwide, representing a 92% drop from the peak levels recorded during the Biden administration, which reached 370,883 at their highest point. CBP confirmed this is the lowest December total on record.
Border Patrol operations along the southwest border have shown particularly dramatic declines. Agents made only 6,478 apprehensions in December, a 96% decrease from the monthly average during the Biden years. CBP noted that this December figure is lower than what agents encountered in just four days during December 2024.
Daily apprehension rates have plummeted as well, with Border Patrol agents now averaging 209 apprehensions per day. For perspective, CBP stated that the Biden administration regularly exceeded this number every 1.5 hours.
“Our agents and officers have set a new standard for border security, achieving historic results that speak for themselves,” CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott said in an official statement accompanying the release of the December statistics.
The southwest border, spanning California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, has historically been the focal point of irregular migration into the United States. The Trump administration’s approach has combined strict enforcement policies with diplomatic pressure on Mexico and Central American countries to stem migration flows before they reach U.S. territory.
Beyond migration management, CBP also reported the seizure of 39,030 pounds of illicit drugs nationwide in December, demonstrating the agency’s continued focus on interdiction efforts alongside immigration enforcement.
“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,” Commissioner Scott added.
The dramatic reduction in border crossings comes after Trump made border security a cornerstone of his campaign and administration priorities. After returning to office, his administration quickly reversed many Biden-era policies and reinstated stricter enforcement measures.
Border security experts note that while seasonal patterns typically affect migration trends, with December often seeing fewer crossings due to weather conditions, the current numbers represent a significant departure from recent years’ patterns that transcends normal seasonal variations.
These enforcement successes occur as the administration continues construction of border barriers and implements technological enhancements to surveillance systems. The administration has also expanded cooperation with Mexican authorities to intercept migrants before they reach the U.S. border.
Critics of the administration’s approach have raised concerns about asylum access and humanitarian conditions, though these voices have been relatively muted in response to the latest figures, which have been framed primarily as a law enforcement success story.
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13 Comments
Interesting to see the progress on border security under the Trump administration. I’m curious to learn more about the specific policy changes that led to such a dramatic decline in border encounters. It would be good to get a balanced perspective from multiple sources on the impacts and tradeoffs involved.
Yes, the statistics are certainly striking. I agree it’s important to look at this issue objectively and consider different viewpoints. Effective border security is a complex challenge with many factors to weigh.
Curious to see if these border security gains can be sustained over the long term. Effective immigration and border management is an ongoing challenge that requires pragmatic, bipartisan solutions. I hope this issue can be addressed thoughtfully and objectively.
The border security data is certainly thought-provoking. However, I think it’s important to look at the full context and potential consequences before drawing conclusions. Immigration is a sensitive issue that requires balanced, evidence-based policymaking.
While the administration’s border security claims are attention-grabbing, I think it’s important to maintain a balanced, critical perspective. There may be valid concerns or unintended consequences that need to be carefully examined. Immigration reform deserves a thoughtful, nonpartisan approach.
Agreed. Simplistic political narratives often oversimplify complex realities. A nuanced, data-driven analysis is essential when it comes to high-stakes policy issues like this one.
While the statistics on reduced border crossings are notable, I would caution against assuming this automatically equates to improved security or overall immigration management. A more holistic assessment is needed to evaluate the tradeoffs and broader impacts.
Agreed. Relying solely on numerical metrics can be misleading. A comprehensive, nuanced analysis is important when it comes to complex policy issues like this.
Kudos to the administration for making progress on border security. But I hope they’ll also focus on addressing the root causes and humanitarian aspects of the immigration challenge, not just the enforcement side. A multifaceted, compassionate approach is needed.
Well said. Effective immigration policies must consider the full complexity of the issue, including economic, social and ethical dimensions. A narrow enforcement-only focus is unlikely to produce sustainable solutions.
This is an important and politically charged topic. While I’m glad to see progress on border security, I would caution against overstating the achievements or ignoring potential downsides. Robust, fair and humane immigration policies are crucial for the country.
Well said. Any policy changes in this area need to be carefully evaluated for their real-world impacts, both intended and unintended. A balanced, evidence-based approach is key.
The data on reduced border crossings is noteworthy, but I’d be cautious about oversimplifying the situation or making bold claims. Immigration is a nuanced, contentious issue that requires objective, evidence-based analysis, not partisan rhetoric.