CBP Records Zero Illegal Border Releases for 8th Consecutive Month

Federal officials say no illegal immigrants were released on parole in December 2025, 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

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported zero parole releases along the southwest border in December 2025, compared to 7,041 releases registered under the prior administration in December 2024, according to a Jan. 16 statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

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