El Paso Border Crossings Hit Historic Low in FY 2026

You crossed into El Paso three years ago, when thousands of people made the same journey every day. Today, that same stretch of border looks almost nothing like it did then. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) held a press conference at the Bridge of the Americas port of entry in El Paso, Texas, announcing end-of-fiscal-year results that show a dramatic shift in border enforcement — one that directly affects anyone still considering crossing, or anyone with family members who might.

From 2,700 encounters a day to fewer than 50

Border Patrol Chief Patrol Agent Jesse Munoz said El Paso Sector averaged 2,700 encounters per day in FY 2023. That number is now below 50 per day. The sector recorded fewer than 20,000 total apprehensions in FY 2026, compared with more than 420,000 three years earlier. Munoz credited the drop to stronger enforcement of Title 8 immigration laws (the main federal statute governing who can enter and stay in the U.S.), additional Border Patrol agents, Department of Defense military personnel, new border barrier construction, and surveillance technology. He also said the sector has not released any undocumented individuals into the U.S. interior in the past 17 months, and that known "got-away" numbers — people who crossed without being caught — are now in the single digits.

CBP El Paso Field Office Director Ray Provencio reported that CBP officers are seizing two to three times more narcotics at ports of entry compared to last year. Southbound inspections — checking vehicles and people leaving the U.S. into Mexico — are also up, targeting cash from drug sales and weapons headed to Mexican cartels. Provencio noted that Mexican cartels in the region have been designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations, meaning anyone who knowingly helps or works for them can now face federal charges for material support of terrorism under 18 U.S. Code § 2339. CBP Air and Marine Operations (AMO) reported a 700% increase in narcotics seizures by the El Paso Air Branch in FY 2026, along with more than 2,000 apprehensions and nine humanitarian rescues.

What this enforcement shift means for immigrants

The sharp drop in crossings reflects a much higher risk of apprehension for anyone attempting to enter without authorization. With military personnel now deployed alongside Border Patrol, interior checkpoints active, and anti-smuggling units targeting transportation networks, the enforcement net is wider than it was in previous years. If you are currently in removal proceedings (the formal legal process where a judge decides whether you can stay in the U.S.) or have a pending immigration court hearing, this enforcement climate makes it especially important to attend every scheduled hearing. Missing a hearing can result in an order of removal issued in your absence — and you have only 30 days to appeal such an order.

What to do

• Attend every immigration court date. A removal order issued in your absence (called an "in absentia" order) is very difficult to undo. You have 30 days to appeal an order of removal, and missing that window can end your case.
• Do not attempt unauthorized border crossings. With apprehension rates at historic highs and military support active, the risk of arrest is far greater than in prior years. An apprehension now carries serious legal consequences for any future immigration applications.
• If you have family members considering crossing, warn them about the current enforcement environment. Smuggling networks are also under active investigation — using a smuggler now carries additional legal risk under the terrorism material-support statute.
• If you are already in the U.S. and worried about your status, consult an immigration lawyer. An attorney can review your options — including asylum, TPS (Temporary Protected Status), or other forms of relief — before enforcement reaches you.