Customs and Border Protection reported a major milestone in May’s review: zero illegal aliens were released into the United States’ interior.
The report shows a huge drop-off from the 62,000 illegal aliens reportedly released during the same month last year under the Biden Administration.
CBP officials released their monthly enforcement update on Tuesday, celebrating a “historic” decline in illegal border crossings under new directives from President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
According to CBP Acting Commissioner Pete Flores, southwest border “encounters” dropped 93% year-over-year, with only 8,725 illegal aliens arrested or apprehended between ports of entry in May 2025, down from nearly 118,000 apprehensions in May 2024.
“Under the leadership of this administration, CBP has received historic support resulting in another 93% decrease in illegal crossings along the southwest border this month when compared with last year,” Flores said in the report.
In May, total CBP “encounters” across America averaged 952 per day, allegedly the second-lowest daily average in the agency’s recorded history.
The numbers clearly reflect a crackdown under Trump’s immigration policy.
Throughout 2025, immigration enforcement actions have intensified across many different fronts. CBP says it is now leveraging all available resources to expedite removals and halt catch-and-release practices altogether.
Beyond immigration enforcement, the CBP also announced an uptick in drug seizures.
In May, agents intercepted 718 pounds of fentanyl at ports of entry. Heroin seizures spiked 191% compared to April, and cocaine seizures climbed 19% throughout that same period.
The agency also celebrated some economic enforcement milestones, processing over $276 billion in imports and collecting close to $27 billion in duties last month.
Additionally, CBP detained 132 shipments suspected of violating American labor laws, mainly related to goods originating from China. Nearly 3 million counterfeit goods worth over $317 million were also seized in May alone.
The recent report paints a picture of an agency boosted by Trump’s immigration mandates and a southern border that CBP data says is more secure and operationally successful than it has been in years.
“Border numbers continue to trend at historic lows, reinforcing the sustained success of our enforcement efforts in securing the homeland and protecting American communities,” Flores added.