Recent data indicates that the daily average of migrants intercepted at the southern border in April was lower than the typical daily encounters in December 2023, when numerous individuals were crossing into the U.S. under the lenient immigration policies of former President Joe Biden.
These surprising findings emerge as the Trump administration marks its twelfth consecutive month without releasing any undocumented migrants at the border, while crossings have reached levels unseen since the early 1990s.
“For 12 straight months, we’ve had zero releases at our border. Under President Donald Trump’s administration, we boast the most secure border in American history,” stated Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
The chaos experienced at the southern border during the Trump presidency pales in comparison to the Biden era, which saw millions entering the U.S. illegally.
“The days of catch and release are behind us. We are actively enforcing our laws and returning illegal immigrants to their countries,” Mullin added.
These figures starkly contrast the Biden administration’s period of relatively open borders, particularly during Kamala Harris’s tenure as border czar, when immigration was largely unchecked.
DHS reported that the average daily border crossings in April (298) happened in less than an hour in December 2023, when the average was around 336 people per hour.
Apprehensions at the border dropped by a remarkable 94% last month under Trump’s administration, which has focused on tackling illegal immigration nationwide, moving away from the peak numbers seen during the Biden administration.
“What a difference, America! The U.S. Border Patrol did not allow any illegal aliens into our country this month, which is quite the change from April 2024, when over 68,000 were released under President Biden,” commented CBP Director Rodney S. Scott.
Scott emphasized, “President Trump’s border security efforts are making every American safer every minute.”
This fiscal year, the total apprehensions by U.S. Border Patrol along the southern border have reached the lowest monthly average since 1992, according to DHS.
Additionally, there has been a significant rise in drug seizures alongside the decrease in illegal border crossings.
“The ongoing reduction in illegal crossings and apprehensions, now at levels not seen in over 30 years, highlights the effectiveness of strict enforcement policies,” stated the Department of Homeland Security.
The DHS also noted that the daily number of patrol agents is 95% lower than it was under the previous administration, with the number of border patrol agents in the Southwest remaining below 9,000 for the last 15 months, ensuring a more secure border than ever before.
In April, CBP reported a 60% increase in seizures of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, and fentanyl compared to April 2024. Heroin seizures rose by 73% since March 2026, while methamphetamine seizures increased by 63%.
They also seized 463 pounds of fentanyl just in April.
