The Data Drop

The Border,
in Numbers.

Monthly border encounters under every modern president. From historic highs to historic lows.

249,741
Monthly encounters
December 2023
→
6,100
Monthly encounters
January 2026
97% decline.
The largest sustained drop in border encounters in modern history.

"We now have the strongest and most secure border in American history. By far."

State of the Union, February 25, 2026
By president

Average monthly encounters

Not cherry-picked months. The average across each entire presidency.

Obama
35K
35,000/mo
Trump (1st)
51K
51,000/mo
Biden
189K
189,000/mo
Trump (2nd)
<10K
<10,000/mo
The comparison

Two presidencies, side by side

Biden (peak month)
249,741
Encounters in December 2023. The highest single month ever recorded by CBP.
Trump (current)
<10,000
Monthly average since taking office. The lowest sustained level since the 1970s.
Biden (4-year total)
10.8M
Total encounters FY2021 to FY2024. More than the previous 12 years combined.
Trump (releases)
Zero
Illegal aliens released at the border. Ten consecutive months. A record.

"Promises made, promises kept. Border security achieved in fewer than 100 days."

The White House, April 28, 2025
The records

Numbers never seen before

10
Consecutive months of zero releases at the border. May 2025 through March 2026.
56%
Reduction in fentanyl trafficking at the southern border since January 2025.
2.6M
Illegal aliens removed from the United States. Deportations and voluntary departures.
Month by month

The first year

Jan 20, 2025
Inauguration Day
Border encounters averaging 47,000 per month. Down from the peak but still historically elevated. Zero-release policy takes effect immediately.
Apr 28, 2025
100 days
Encounters drop below 30,000 per month.
"Border security achieved in fewer than 100 days."
May 2025
Zero releases begin
For the first time in modern history, the U.S. Border Patrol releases zero illegal aliens into the country. The streak will continue for ten consecutive months.
Jun 2025
Lowest month in CBP history
25,228 total encounters nationwide. The lowest monthly total ever recorded by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Lower than any month under Obama, Bush, Clinton, or Trump's first term.
Oct 2025
FY2026 begins
30,561 encounters. The lowest start to a fiscal year ever recorded. First quarter total: 91,603, 25% lower than the previous all-time low set in FY2012.
Dec 2025
December record
30,698 encounters. The lowest December in CBP history. 92% below the Biden administration peak.
"Eighth straight month of zero releases at the border, making it truly the most secure border in history."
Jan 2026
New baseline
6,100 attempted crossings. 79% below January 2025. Border Patrol averaging under 10,000 encounters per month.
Feb 25, 2026
State of the Union
"After four years in which millions and millions of illegal aliens poured across our borders totally unvetted and unchecked, we now have the strongest and most secure border in American history by far."
Mar 19, 2026
Ten months
DHS confirms tenth consecutive month of zero illegal alien releases at the border.
For context
10.8M
Total encounters from FY2021 to FY2024. More in four years than the previous twelve years combined under Obama and Trump's first term.

"Tenth straight month of zero illegal aliens released at the border."

Department of Homeland Security, March 19, 2026

The numbers speak for themselves.

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Sources: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Nationwide Encounters. Department of Homeland Security. Pew Research Center. White House Statements. Committee on Homeland Security. CBP Enforcement Statistics.

Data is approximate for some months prior to FY2020. All presidential quotes sourced from official White House transcripts, DHS releases, or Truth Social.

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