U.S. Department of Homeland Security / Flickr
The US Border Patrol released zero illegal immigrants into the country during May, a stunning reversal from the 62,000 released in the same month just one year ago under the Biden administration, according to new data from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
“Thanks to the tireless efforts and diligent work of the men and women of CBP and the leadership of [Trump] and [Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem], USBP released 0 (not a single one) illegal aliens into our country in May, down from more than 62,000 in May of last year,” CBP wrote in a June 17 social media post.
“This administration has seen the fastest improvement in American border security of all time,” the agency added.
According to the data, Border Patrol agents encountered 8,725 illegal crossings at the southern border between the points of entry in May, a 93% drop from the 117,905 encounters recorded in May 2024.
The massive decline has effectively ended the Biden-era “catch and release” policy, where migrants were released due to overwhelmed detention capacity, according to the Daily Caller.
Acting CBP Commissioner Pete Flores highlighted the administration’s sweeping success in a Tuesday statement.
“Under the leadership of this administration, CBP has received historic support resulting in another 93% decrease in illegal crossings along the southwest border this month when compared with last year,” Flores said.
“Border numbers continue to trend at historic lows,” he added, “reinforcing the sustained success of our enforcement efforts in securing the homeland and protecting American communities.”
The dramatic shift comes as public support for President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration stance continues to build.
As CatholicVote reported June 10, new polling shows surging support for mass deportations and expanded Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, signaling growing momentum behind the administration’s aggressive border agenda.
