Border Crossings Hit 30-Year Low: What It Means for Immigrants
Fifteen straight months of record-low border crossings sounds like a headline about the border — but the enforcement machine behind those numbers reaches deep into communities across the US. DHS announced on August 13, 2026 that July apprehensions along the southwest border were 94% below the Biden-era monthly average. For immigrants already inside the country, that same enforcement posture is reshaping how quickly removal cases move and how little room there is for error.
What if you are already inside the US and wondering whether stricter enforcement affects your case? The short answer: yes, the policy environment that produced these numbers also shapes how ICE prioritizes arrests, how immigration courts are staffed, and how quickly removal proceedings move.
On August 13, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced 15 consecutive months of what they call "zero releases" at the border — meaning people caught crossing illegally are removed rather than released into the US to await a hearing. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the numbers show the administration is "restoring order." CBP Commissioner Rodney S. Scott credited "clear policy, strong enforcement, and dedicated frontline personnel." In July 2026, Border Patrol made 9,295 apprehensions along the southwest border — 6% fewer than in June and 94% fewer than the monthly average under the previous administration. Nationwide, July apprehensions totaled 11,298.
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The agency also reported a sharp rise in drug seizures. CBP seized 1,054 pounds of fentanyl in July 2026, up 3% from June. Heroin seizures rose 20% from June, reaching 79 pounds. Combined drug seizures nationwide in July were 26% higher than in July 2024. For the fiscal year through July, total drug seizures are 54% above the same period in fiscal year 2024. CBP also stopped 300 shipments worth more than $83 million for potential forced labor violations and seized 2.9 million counterfeit goods valued at over $2 billion.
For immigrants already in the US — whether in removal proceedings, waiting on a green card application, or holding a work permit — this enforcement climate matters. Courts are processing cases faster in some jurisdictions. ICE has stated publicly that it is prioritizing swift removal. If you have a pending immigration court hearing, missing it carries serious consequences: an immigration judge can issue an in-absentia removal order (a deportation order issued without you present) if you do not appear.
What to do
- If you have an immigration court hearing scheduled, attend it — no exceptions. An in-absentia removal order is very difficult to undo. The deadline to appeal a removal order is 30 days from the date it is issued.
- If you missed a hearing and received a removal order, you may file a Motion to Reopen your case. The standard deadline to file is 90 days from the date of the removal order. Act quickly — lawyers recommend filing as soon as possible within that window.
- If you are at risk of deportation and want to request more time to leave voluntarily, ask your immigration attorney about voluntary departure. The maximum period a judge can grant is 120 days.
- Keep your address updated with the immigration court and USCIS. Notices sent to an old address are still considered delivered — missing a notice can cost you your case.
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In a high-enforcement environment like this one, procedural mistakes become far more costly. If a client has missed a court hearing and received an in-absentia removal order, the 90-day window to file a Motion to Reopen is the critical lifeline — but you need strong evidence of exceptional circumstances or lack of proper notice to succeed. Clients facing imminent removal should also ask about an I-246 Stay of Deportation (fee: $155), which can pause removal while other remedies are pursued. Do not try to navigate removal proceedings without an attorney — consult one immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the drop in border crossings mean ICE is also doing more arrests inside the US?
The DHS announcement focuses on border apprehensions, not interior enforcement numbers. However, the same administration policy that drives border enforcement also guides ICE priorities inside the country. If you have an open removal case or a prior order of removal, the current climate increases the risk of enforcement action.
I have a removal order. Can I still do anything to stay in the US?
Possibly. You have 30 days from the date of the removal order to file an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). If that deadline has passed, you may still file a Motion to Reopen within 90 days of the order. An immigration attorney can tell you which option fits your situation.
What happens if I miss my immigration court hearing?
The judge can issue an in-absentia removal order — meaning you are ordered deported without being present. This is one of the hardest outcomes to reverse. If this happened to you, the 90-day deadline to file a Motion to Reopen starts from the date of that order.
Does this enforcement news affect my green card application or work permit renewal?
USCIS processing of green card applications (Form I-485) and work permits (Form I-765, the Employment Authorization Document) runs separately from border enforcement. However, any unresolved immigration court matter or removal order can block or complicate those applications. Check your case status on the USCIS website and flag any court history to your attorney.