Homeland Security Chief Declares U.S. Border Most Secure in History
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced on Friday that the U.S. border is the “most secure” it has ever been, pointing out that there haven’t been any parolees for eight months straight.
In a post on X, Noem shared recently released data from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for December 2025 and acknowledged President Trump and law enforcement for this achievement. “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and the dedicated efforts of law enforcement at the Department of Homeland Security, America’s borders are now the most secure in our nation’s history,” she stated. “What President Trump and his CBP agents and officials have accomplished in one year is nothing short of extraordinary.”
According to CBP, there were 7,041 parolees released along the Southwest border in December 2024 under the Biden administration, while December 2025 saw none.
Noem emphasized that encounters at the border are at historic lows, claiming the lowest rates in years. “Every month, we are achieving results once thought impossible: the most secure border in history and unparalleled enforcement success,” she claimed.
Nationwide, CBP reported that encounters fell to 91,603 from October to December—the lowest ever recorded to start a year and 25% below the previous low from 2012. In December alone, encounters dropped to 30,698, marking a staggering 92% decrease from a peak of 370,883 during Biden’s administration, which is the lowest December total ever recorded.
Record Low Apprehensions
Border Patrol agents noted just 21,815 apprehensions in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, a 95% drop compared to the average during the Biden administration. In December, agents made 6,478 arrests, which is down 96% from the Biden-era monthly average, and simply fewer than what was recorded over four days in December 2024.
On average, Border Patrol agents conducted 209 apprehensions each day in December, achieving levels that consistently surpassed the Biden-era statistics roughly every hour and a half.
CBP Director Rodney Scott praised the efforts of the agents, stating, “Our nation’s agents and personnel have set a new standard for border security and achieved a historic accomplishment that speaks for itself.”
Data reveals that amidst ongoing enforcement efforts, the number of people crossing the border has reached an all-time low, suggesting a significant impact of the current policies.
In December alone, CBP also seized 39,030 pounds of illegal drugs across the nation. Scott commended the commitment of CBP personnel, highlighting their daily efforts to maintain the safety and security of U.S. borders.
