U.S. border data reveals details on 5.6 million migrant arrests

Data obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests reveals details regarding the surge of migrants at the U.S. southern border. The Associated Press analyzed records for over 5.6 million people arrested by U.S. Border Patrol for illegal entry between October 1, 2018, and July 7, 2025. The dataset includes information on nationality, age, gender, crossing sectors, and self-reported U.S. ZIP code destinations.

Many of these individuals were released into the United States with notices to appear in immigration court or report to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, often to seek asylum under humanitarian grounds. During the peak of the surge in 2023, some migrants were reportedly told to wait up to 10 years for initial court dates.

In a separate context regarding the border situation, commentator Jessica Tarlov stated she was “gobsmacked” by drone footage showing large numbers of people crossing the border. She noted that the visual reality of the crossings contrasted with previous administration rhetoric that the border was “effectively closed.”