DHS: Southwest Border Apprehensions Down 95% in Fiscal 2026, Lowest on Record
Preliminary, government-reported numbers also claim zero Border Patrol releases and 250 miles of new barrier.
The Department of Homeland Security says fiscal year 2026, which ended September 30, produced the lowest border numbers on record. In its October 16 release, DHS reported 98,708 Border Patrol apprehensions at the southwest border, a 95% drop from the prior year's comparable period, and 379,243 encounters nationwide, the lowest total on record.
DHS also reported zero Border Patrol releases into the interior, 250 miles of new border barrier, and $34.3 billion in Smart Wall funding. It said agents seized nearly one million pounds of drugs. DHS Secretary Mullin and CBP Commissioner Scott were quoted crediting the administration's enforcement policies.
A caution: these are preliminary figures released by the agency itself, and the comparisons use the department's own definitions. Critics of the administration have argued enforcement tactics raise legal and humanitarian concerns, and independent data analysts have not yet confirmed every number. We are reporting DHS claims as DHS claims.
Why it matters: border security was a defining issue in 2024 and remains a top concern for many voters. If the numbers hold up, they are the strongest evidence yet that policy changes alter behavior at the border. The question for the next Congress is how to make those gains durable by law, not only by executive action.
Facts above are attributed to the linked reporting. Statements in a source's own opinion section are labeled as commentary. We correct errors promptly.
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