Trump Administration Touts 11 Months of Zero Border Releases

Border encounters in first half of fiscal year hit historic lows, CBP reports

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:06pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting with overlapping geometric shapes and waves of muted earth tones, conceptually representing the fast-paced, high-stakes nature of border security.The Trump administration's border security policies have led to a dramatic drop in illegal crossings, though the long-term impacts remain debated.Washington Today

The Trump administration is touting 11 consecutive months of zero releases at the U.S. border, with border encounters for the first six months of the current fiscal year reaching the lowest levels on record, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Why it matters

The administration's claims of securing the border and reducing illegal crossings align with Trump's core campaign promises, though critics argue the data may not tell the full story and that the administration's policies have been controversial and divisive.

The details

According to the CBP data, border encounters during the first half of fiscal year 2026 were the lowest in recorded history. The administration credits its hardline immigration policies, including restrictions on asylum claims and increased interior enforcement, for the dramatic drop in crossings.

  • The Trump administration is reporting 11 straight months of zero releases at the border as of April 2026.

The players

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

The federal agency responsible for border security and immigration enforcement.

President Donald Trump

The former U.S. president whose administration implemented strict immigration policies aimed at reducing illegal border crossings.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

The federal law enforcement agency that oversees border security and immigration enforcement.

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The takeaway

The Trump administration's claims of securing the border and reducing illegal crossings to historic lows align with its hardline immigration policies, though the full impact and broader context of these figures remain subject to debate and interpretation.