At the start of fiscal year 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported 91,603 nationwide encounters from October through December 2025, representing a decrease of more than 76% compared to the same period in 2024 under the Biden administration. This figure marks the lowest number recorded at the beginning of any fiscal year.
The House Committee on Homeland Security credits this reduction to policies implemented by President Trump’s administration since he took office one year ago. These measures include reinforcing border infrastructure, ending catch-and-release practices, disrupting criminal cartels, and increasing support for law enforcement agencies. According to committee data, there was a 62% decline in nationwide border encounters in December compared to January 2025. Apprehensions along the Southwest border dropped by over 77% during that same period.
House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY) stated: “The Trump administration and House Republicans made a promise to secure our borders and protect our communities from dangerous criminals and deadly drugs. One year later, it’s clearer than ever that enforcing our laws and providing the resources needed to continue that enforcement has helped make historic strides in securing the homeland––and this is only the beginning. As the new year begins, this Committee looks forward to ensuring that resources provided by Congress continue to empower our Border Patrol agents and CBP officers to carry out their core missions and continue building long-term resilience at our borders.”
Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement Chairman Michael Guest (R-MS) added: “Thanks to the hard work of federal law enforcement and the strong border security policies President Trump has enacted since day one, 2025 was a monumental year for protecting our communities. A secure border is a victory for all Americans. I am proud of the work we have done on the Homeland Security Committee to support DHS’s mission through the Reconciliation Bill in 2025, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside the Trump administration to ensure future generations benefit from the progress we are making today.”
CBP data also show that December saw over a 91% drop in nationwide encounters compared with December 2023—the previous record high for monthly encounters—while apprehensions between ports of entry at the Southwest border fell by 86% compared with December FY25.
Efforts have continued against catch-and-release practices as well; December marked eight consecutive months without parole releases by USBP, contrasting with more than 7,000 inadmissible aliens released along the Southwest border in December 2024 under prior policy.
In terms of drug interdiction efforts, CBP seized approximately 39,030 pounds of illicit drugs nationwide in December. With tighter land borders reported by authorities, transnational criminal networks are increasingly using maritime routes; about four-fifths of intercepted drugs destined for America were seized at sea. The U.S. Coast Guard confiscated nearly 510,000 pounds of cocaine during FY2025 operations in both the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean regions.
This week also saw a hearing convened by the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement regarding CBP’s use of non-intrusive inspection technology—a tool designed for detecting illicit substances as well as contraband currency or individuals being smuggled across national borders. In July 2025, President Trump signed into law House Republicans’ reconciliation package known as “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which allocated more than $1 billion toward such technology enhancements.
As part of ongoing infrastructure projects funded through this legislation, CBP had awarded contracts by January 2026 for constructing or upgrading roughly 587 miles of various types of barriers along U.S. borders—including smart walls and water barriers—to further bolster security measures.
