US Border Releases Remain at Zero for 16th Straight Month

By Mintesinot Nigussie  |  September 17, 2026

The United States recorded its 16th consecutive month with zero releases of migrants by the US Border Patrol, while apprehensions along the southwest border remained at historically low levels in August, according to figures released by the Department of Homeland Security and US Customs and Border Protection.

Border Patrol apprehended 8,870 people along the southwest border in August, 5% fewer than in July, while nationwide apprehensions stood at 10,939, down 3% from the previous month. CBP said the southwest border figure was 94% below the monthly average recorded during the Biden administration and 97% below the peak reached in December 2023.

CBP said no migrants were released by Border Patrol along the southwest border in August, compared with 10,186 releases in August 2024.

The latest figures come as the Trump administration continues to emphasise detention and removal rather than the release of people apprehended after crossing the border illegally. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the figures demonstrated the impact of the administration's border policies, while CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott said people crossing illegally were being apprehended, detained and removed.

The agencies also reported increased drug seizures during the current fiscal year. Through August, CBP said it had seized 73% more drugs than during the same period of fiscal year 2024 and 61% more than the average for the corresponding period over the previous four years.

Cocaine seizures rose 28% in August to 6,724 pounds, while CBP reported 773 pounds of fentanyl seized during the month. In coordination with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the agency also seized more than 120,000 pounds of precursor chemicals used to manufacture illicit drugs.

Beyond border and narcotics enforcement, CBP processed 349 billion US dollars in imports in August and identified 24.6 billion US dollars in duties for collection, underscoring the agency's role in customs and trade enforcement alongside its border-security functions.

CBP agriculture specialists also issued 5,681 emergency action notifications for restricted and prohibited plant and animal products during the month. The agency said it conducted 112,180 positive passenger inspections and issued 790 civil penalties or violations related to undeclared prohibited agricultural items.

Source: FSX Business News