DHS Announces 16 Consecutive Months of Zero Releases at the Southern Border

DHS and CBP announced September 16, 2026 that Border Patrol released zero individuals apprehended at the southwest border in August 2026, marking 16 consecutive months without a release — compared with 10,186 released in August 2024 under the Biden administration. DHS said southwest border apprehensions in August 2026 were 94% below the Biden-era monthly average and 97% below the December 2023 peak. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said 'catch and release is over, consequences are back, and illegal crossings have fallen to historic lows.' DHS separately touted a 61% year-over-year increase in CBP drug seizures for FY2026 versus the prior four-year average.