Border Crossings Drop 96% in Tucson Sector in FY 2026
Illegal border crossings in Arizona's Tucson Sector fell 96% between fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2026, CBP announced this week — from over 460,000 to roughly 16,000. Acting Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Stephen Cristinzio said no undocumented immigrants have been released into the US interior for 17 months. For immigrants with open cases or removal orders, the enforcement shift has direct consequences.
You crossed the border two years ago and have been watching enforcement news closely ever since. The numbers coming out of Arizona this week are hard to ignore. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that illegal crossings in the Tucson Sector — one of the busiest corridors on the southern border — fell from more than 460,000 in fiscal year 2024 to roughly 16,000 in fiscal year 2026. That is a 96% drop in two years.
What drove the change
At a press conference held at Tucson Sector headquarters, Acting Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Stephen Cristinzio credited several factors: stricter enforcement of Title 8 immigration laws (the federal statutes that govern who can enter and stay in the US), new border barriers, expanded surveillance technology, and a larger number of agents — including Department of Defense military personnel deployed to the border. Cristinzio also said that for the past 17 months, no undocumented immigrants have been released into the US interior after apprehension. He argued this has made it harder for Mexican cartels to sell smuggling services, because migrants can no longer expect to be released while their cases are processed.
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CBP Tucson Field Office Director Roque Caza highlighted a separate enforcement milestone: Arizona ports of entry accounted for more than 30% of all fentanyl seized by CBP nationwide in fiscal year 2026. Officers intercepted more than 15,000 pounds of illicit drugs across Arizona ports of entry during the year. Caza also noted a shift in cartel tactics — smugglers are increasingly moving fentanyl in powder form, which is harder to detect. CBP Air and Marine Operations reported that the Tucson Air Branch alone seized 488 pounds of fentanyl and 283 pounds of cocaine in FY 2026, leading the nation among air branches.
What this means if you are in removal proceedings
The enforcement picture has changed significantly. If you have a pending immigration court hearing (a scheduled date before an immigration judge to decide whether you can stay in the US), the zero-release policy means that people apprehended at or near the border are far less likely to be released on bond while their case moves forward. If you are already inside the US and have a removal order — a judge's decision ordering you to leave — ICE enforcement has intensified. An apprehension fee of $5,300 now applies to individuals arrested under a removal in absentia order (a deportation order issued because someone did not appear in court).
What to do
- If you have an upcoming immigration court hearing, attend it. Missing your hearing can result in a removal order issued in your absence, and an apprehension under that order now carries a $5,300 fee.
- If you received a removal order and want to challenge it, you have 30 days from the order to file an appeal, and 90 days to file a Motion to Reopen your case with the immigration court.
- If you need more time before leaving voluntarily, ask your immigration judge about voluntary departure — the maximum period allowed is 120 days.
- Contact an immigration lawyer before making any decisions about your case. Enforcement conditions at the border and inside the US have changed substantially, and your options depend on your specific situation.
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The zero-release policy described by CBP means that anyone apprehended near the border today faces detention rather than a notice to appear and release. If a family member has been detained, ask immediately about a bond hearing before an immigration judge — that is still a legal right under current law. For clients already inside the US with a final removal order, the 30-day appeal window and 90-day motion-to-reopen deadline are hard cutoffs; missing either one severely limits your options. Consult an immigration attorney as soon as possible to assess which relief, if any, is still available to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the drop in border crossings affect my pending asylum application?
Not directly. Your asylum application (a request for protection based on fear of persecution) is decided on its own facts. However, stricter enforcement means fewer people are being released while cases are processed, so if you are detained, you may wait longer in custody before a hearing.
What happens if I miss my immigration court hearing?
The judge can issue a removal order in your absence — called an 'in absentia' order. You generally have 90 days to file a Motion to Reopen and ask the court to reschedule, but you must show a strong reason for missing the hearing. An arrest under an in absentia removal order now carries a $5,300 fee.
Can I still request voluntary departure instead of deportation?
Yes, in many cases. Voluntary departure lets you leave on your own instead of being formally deported, which can make it easier to apply for a visa later. The maximum period a judge can grant is 120 days. You must request it before or during your hearing — not after a removal order is issued.
If I was already released into the US with a notice to appear, does the new zero-release policy affect me?
The zero-release policy applies to new apprehensions at the border. If you were previously released with a notice to appear (a document ordering you to show up in immigration court), your case continues under the terms of that release. Keep attending all scheduled hearings and check with a lawyer about any changes to your case.