The Trump administration announced on June 19, 2026, that no undocumented immigrants were released into the United States for the 13th consecutive month, according to Department of Homeland Security data.
The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed that every individual apprehended at the southwest border during the period was processed through detention, removal, or deportation procedures. The announcement represents a significant operational shift compared to prior administrations’ border enforcement approaches.
What the Administration Says
President Trump stated, “For the past 13 months, zero illegal aliens have been admitted into the United States. We have the strongest, most secure border in the history of our country,” according to an official statement released by the administration.
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin attributed the results to expanded detention capacity, expedited removal processes, and international migration agreements, saying “thirteen straight months of ZERO releases at the border” demonstrated the effectiveness of these measures. CBP Commissioner Rodney S. Scott noted that daily apprehension averages have declined more than 90% from previous years.
Policy Changes Behind the Numbers
The administration credited the results to border wall construction, reinstatement of the “Remain in Mexico” policy, elimination of certain parole programs, and increased diplomatic pressure on foreign governments to address migration sources. Additional congressional funding provided resources for additional agents, technology, and detention facilities.
Border apprehensions have reached multi-decade lows, with recent months marking some of the lowest encounter rates on record. Officials noted that April 2024 saw more than 68,000 releases compared to zero in the current period.
Enforcement Operations and Drug Seizures
Federal immigration enforcement operations have continued targeting individuals with serious criminal records. Drug seizure numbers have increased while apprehension figures have declined substantially across the southwest border region.
This story has been updated. CNN’s Border Security Team contributed to this report.
