U.S. border apprehensions fall to 98,708 in fiscal 2026

Preliminary data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) shows that southwest border apprehensions totaled 98,708 for fiscal year 2026. While the White House has characterized this as a record low, federal records indicate that total apprehensions were lower in fiscal years 1966 and 1967.

The 2026 figure represents a 95% decline compared to the annual totals recorded during the Biden administration. Nationwide encounters, which include individuals stopped at ports of entry, totaled 379,243, marking an 88% decrease from fiscal 2023.

Additional CBP reports indicate that drug seizures rose to nearly 1 million pounds, a 63% increase over the previous four-year average. Border-related deaths also saw a nearly 80% decline. The agency noted that there were zero Border Patrol releases for the full fiscal year.