Border apprehensions have fallen to the lowest levels in more than three decades, the Department of Homeland Security said, attributing the decline to strict enforcement policies.
The U.S. Border Patrol apprehended 8,870 individuals along the southwest border in August, a 5 percent decrease from July. Nationwide, Border Patrol apprehensions totaled 10,939 in August, down 3 percent from the previous month. The agency said southwest border apprehensions in August were 94 percent lower than the monthly average under the Biden administration and 97 percent below the administration's peak in December 2023.
The Border Patrol released zero individuals in August, compared with 10,186 releases along the southwest border in August 2024, the department said.
Customs and Border Protection reported seizing 73 percent more drugs through August of this fiscal year compared to the same period in fiscal year 2024. Cocaine seizures increased 28 percent, with 6,724 pounds seized in August. CBP also seized 773 pounds of fentanyl and, in coordination with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, over 120,000 pounds of precursor chemicals used in illicit drug manufacturing in August.
In trade enforcement, CBP processed $349 billion in imports and identified $24.6 billion in duties for collection in August. Agricultural inspectors issued 5,681 emergency action notifications for restricted plant and animal products and conducted 112,180 passenger inspections.