CBP Records Zero Illegal Border Releases for 8th Consecutive Month

Federal officials say no illegal immigrants were released on parole in December, as border apprehensions and encounters fell to historically low levels.

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) vehicle patrols along the U.S.-Mexico border wall in Nogales, Ariz., on Sept. 16, 2025. Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency reported zero parole releases along the southwest border in December last year, compared to 7,041 releases registered under the prior administration in December 2024, according to a Jan. 16 statement from Homeland Security (DHS).

Parole releases refer to being temporarily released into the country after being captured by the Border Patrol, rather than being detained or removed immediately. According to the latest numbers, the CBP has “recorded its lowest encounter totals ever to start a fiscal year.”