Border Security Under Trump Administration Shows Sharp Contrast
Recent reports indicate that the Trump administration recorded zero catch-and-releases at the border last year, according to The Daily Caller.
This comes amid a rise in illegal immigration during the Biden administration, prompting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to increase enforcement measures at border crossings. Remarkably, over the past 13 months, no illegal immigrants have been released after crossing the border.
Specifically, if we look at the figures from May 2026, there’s a significant difference when compared to the policies of the previous administration. Border security in the Southwest has dropped by 94 percent compared to the monthly average established under Biden. Overall, the figures for fiscal year 2026 through May show a 26 percent decrease compared to the monthly average from 1992 to 2024.
In just May, CBP seized nearly 800 pounds of fentanyl. In the last four months, the agency has retrieved an average of 37,033 pounds of marijuana each month, which is 61 percent more than the average during fiscal year 2024 under Biden.
Seizures of drugs by CBP in this year have surged by 56 percent compared to the same time frame in 2024.
There were serious concerns about how the Biden administration’s border policies allowed unauthorized entries. Estimates suggest that around 10.3 million illegal immigrants might have entered the U.S. between 2021 and 2024 based on figures from the Republican DHS.
“For 13 consecutive months, there have been zero releases at the border. Under President Trump, we have achieved the most secure border in American history,” stated DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. He emphasized that the era of catch-and-release is over, asserting the enforcement of the nation’s laws while ensuring security and sovereignty.
Likewise, CBP Director Rodney S. Scott commented, “Our strong enforcement policies are working. We have achieved unprecedented success in border security, drug interdiction, and trade enforcement.”
On another note, on June 8, Border Patrol agents assisted the Maverick County Sheriff’s Office with a traffic stop involving Miguel Francisco Hernandez-Jiménez, an illegal immigrant alleged to be smuggling people using the HVAC system in his truck.
In addition to the drug seizures, CBP also confiscated 2 million counterfeit items valued at over $400 million during May alone. This included around 250 shipments worth more than $44 million intercepted in that same timeframe.
A comprehensive report on border security and seizures is available at the CBP website. Reports indicate that during Trump’s second term, the U.S. deported over 600,000 illegal immigrants, while another 1.9 million left voluntarily.
