Border Apprehensions Hit 30-Year Low: What It Means for Immigrants
For 13 months in a row, no one caught crossing the U.S. border illegally has been released into the country. The government says border arrests are at their lowest point in over 30 years. For immigrants already living in the U.S., this enforcement shift has real consequences — and real deadlines.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that May 2026 marked 13 straight months of zero releases at the border — meaning no one caught crossing illegally was released into the U.S. to wait for a court date. Border Patrol made 9,998 arrests along the southwest border in May, a 94% drop compared to the monthly average under the Biden administration. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin called it "the most secure border in American history."
What the Numbers Actually Mean
To put the May figure in context: during the peak of border crossings in 2024, U.S. agents arrested more people in a single hour than they did in all of May 2026. CBP Commissioner Rodney S. Scott said the daily average of arrests — 323 per day in May — is 94% below what it was under the previous administration. The government says total arrests this fiscal year are also 26% lower than the average for any single month between 1992 and 2024. These are the lowest numbers in over three decades.
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At the same time, drug seizures are rising sharply. CBP seized 795 pounds of fentanyl in May 2026 alone — a 72% jump from April 2026. Overall drug seizures nationwide increased 32% compared to May 2024. CBP also stopped 247 shipments worth more than $44 million for possible forced labor violations and seized 2 million counterfeit goods valued at over $400 million.
For immigrants already inside the U.S. — including those in removal proceedings (the official legal process to deport someone), those with pending asylum applications, or those on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) — these enforcement trends matter. A stricter border policy often signals stricter interior enforcement too. ICE arrests, immigration court hearings, and deportation orders can all increase when the government is in a high-enforcement posture.
What to Do If You Are Worried About Your Immigration Status
- Know your court dates. If you have an immigration court hearing scheduled, missing it will almost certainly result in a deportation order issued in your absence. Check your hearing date at the EOIR (Executive Office for Immigration Review) website or call 1-800-898-7180.
- Understand your rights if ICE comes to your door. You have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with a lawyer before answering questions. You do not have to open the door unless agents have a signed judicial warrant.
- Check your deadlines. If you received a removal order (an official order to leave the U.S.), you have 30 days to appeal it. If you want to reopen your case, you generally have 90 days to file a Motion to Reopen with the immigration court.
- Talk to an immigration lawyer as soon as possible. In a high-enforcement environment, waiting can cost you options. Many nonprofit legal organizations offer free or low-cost consultations.
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In a high-enforcement environment like this one, people in removal proceedings need to treat every deadline as urgent — the 30-day window to appeal a removal order and the 90-day window to file a Motion to Reopen are hard cutoffs that courts rarely extend. If you received any notice from an immigration court or ICE, bring it to an attorney immediately, even if you think it is routine. Do not wait to see what happens next — consult a licensed immigration attorney to protect your rights before those windows close.