Border Clearance Rates: A Shift in Dynamics

The overall clearance rate at the Southwest border in May marked a decline compared to the peak daily rates observed during the Biden administration’s border crisis. Data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) indicates that Border Patrol apprehensions stayed below 10,000 this month, and, interestingly, the number of illegal immigrants released at the border for asylum applications has remained at zero for 13 consecutive months.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) attributes these low apprehension numbers to the stringent border security measures implemented during the Trump administration. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin noted, “Thirteen consecutive months of zero releases at the border,” asserting, “We’re achieving the most secure border in American history under President Trump.”

Adding to this, Commissioner Mullin stated, “The days of catch and release are over.” This counters earlier estimates suggesting that during the height of the Biden administration, a staggering percentage of apprehended illegal aliens were released into the U.S. Now, the focus, he claims, is on promptly returning illegal immigrants to their homeland, thereby maintaining the nation’s security.

Historically low numbers of border crossings and checkpoint arrests, numbers not seen in over three decades, are believed to be a direct result of these tightened security protocols. There’s an indication that these measures are influencing other critical metrics as well.

Interestingly, in May, the number of Border Patrol agents stationed at the Southwest border was reported at 9,998, which is significantly lower—94%—than the monthly average during the Biden administration. In fact, apprehensions along the border have dipped by 96% compared to peak months of the previous administration.

CBP data reveals that an average of 323 individuals were apprehended daily in May, a stark contrast to hourly figures seen earlier during the Biden years. Reports suggested that around 17,000 illegal aliens were arrested in just one border region within a mere five-day time frame in 2023.

This decline in border crossings appears to have allowed CBP to shift focus toward counter-drug enforcement. As a result, there’s been a noticeable uptick in drug seizures, impacting international cartels’ operations and profits. In particular, efforts to take illicit fentanyl off the streets may be contributing to a downward trend in overdose deaths.

The statistics for May alone reveal a substantial 32% increase in nationwide seizures of drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and marijuana, compared to May of the previous year. Notably, fentanyl seizures escalated by 72% from the month prior.

Additionally, there has been a 61% rise in marijuana seizures in May compared to the monthly average for the previous fiscal year, along with a 56% increase in the overall volume of illicit drugs seized during the same timeframe.

These recent figures indicate a marked turnaround from the peak of the Biden-era border crisis, characterized by the release of hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants each month and minimal cartel constraints. With 13 months of zero releases and record drug seizures now in place, CBP suggests it is finally moving closer to its primary mission: securing the border, disrupting cartel activities, and safeguarding American society.