Border Patrol’s May Report: No Releases of Illegal Immigrants

Border Patrol agents reportedly did not permit any illegal immigrants to enter the United States in May. In fact, none of the 8,725 individuals apprehended at the US-Mexico border were released, marking a significant 93% drop from May 2024, when about 62,000 were allowed entry under the Biden administration.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Pete Flores highlighted this shift, stating that the agency has experienced “historical support” during the Trump administration’s tenure. He noted, “Compared to last year, this month has seen an additional 93% decrease in illegal crossings along the southwest border,” indicating a marked change in policy.

Back in April, Tom Homan, who served under Trump, pointed out that millions of non-citizens were intentionally permitted into the US during Biden’s presidency. He raised concerns about the rationale behind such decisions, questioning why the administration allowed entries instead of detaining individuals appropriately. Homan said, “They did it on purpose,” implying a deliberate choice by officials to handle immigration in a certain way.

Homan further emphasized that placing apprehended individuals in detention beds typically results in quicker hearings, while releasing them could lead to prolonged legal battles, potentially stretching several years. With the Biden administration’s approach, nearly all immigrants who crossed the border were released, which, as Homan argued, encourages more people to make the dangerous journey, as they can seek jobs to pay off smuggling debts.

In early May, reports indicated that immigration concerns had risen sharply, with figures showing a nearly 13% increase from the previous month and over 95% increase from the same time the previous year.

In response to the New York Post’s report, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Texas Governor Greg Abbott commended the strategy, stating it represented effective leadership at the border. Johnson highlighted that promises were being fulfilled, while Abbott contrasted the current numbers with past ones under Trump, emphasizing what he described as true leadership in managing border issues.