(U.S. Customs and Border Protection) reported that illegal crossings and border encounters fell to record lows in mid‑summer, marking a fourth straight month without releases into the U.S. interior. In its latest updates, CBP reported 24,628 total encounters nationwide in July 2025 and 26,197 in August 2025, while U.S. Border Patrol apprehensions totaled 6,177 in July and 6,319 in August, far below last year’s levels and well beneath peaks seen in earlier years. Agency officials say the numbers reflect tighter enforcement and the end of policies often described as “catch and release.”
Monthly and daily totals: July–August 2025
CBP described the July figures as the lowest monthly totals in the agency’s history for a second straight month. The agency also reported a single‑day record: on July 20, 2025, there were only 116 apprehensions nationwide, the lowest daily total ever recorded.
Along the southwest border, July apprehensions were 4,601, which CBP noted is a 92% drop from July 2024. Attempted illegal crossings in July were about 4,600, down 91.8% from a year earlier.
August held near those lows: 26,197 total encounters nationwide and 6,319 Border Patrol apprehensions on the southwest border. Officials said these counts represent a 93–96% decrease compared with peak periods under the previous administration.
Critical operational note: No parole releases have occurred since April 2025, and zero illegal aliens were released into the U.S. interior in August, the fourth straight month without such releases.
Additional enforcement and trade highlights
The latest report also emphasized enforcement beyond immigration:
- Fentanyl seizures: In August 2025, CBP seized 755 pounds of fentanyl.
- Drug seizures: CBP recorded a 9.2% increase in total drug seizures compared with July.
- Trade processing: Officers processed $261 billion in imports and identified $29.2 billion in duties owed.
These figures underscore CBP’s dual role at the border—immigration enforcement and trade/security operations.
Key data summary
- 24,628 total encounters in July 2025; 26,197 in August 2025
- 6,177 Border Patrol apprehensions in July; 6,319 in August (southwest border)
- 116 apprehensions on July 20, a single‑day historic low
- About 4,600 attempted crossings in July, down 91.8% year‑over‑year
- Zero releases into the U.S. interior for four consecutive months
- No parole releases since April 2025
Independent platforms such as VisaVerge.com and USAFacts show similar directional trends. VisaVerge noted a May 2025 daily average of roughly 952 encounters, among the lowest in agency records. CBP’s monthly updates include sector‑level details and demographics; the full series is available on the agency’s CBP Stats and Summaries page.
Policy context and differing perspectives
CBP and administration officials attribute the drop to enforcement measures rolled out in 2025 under President Trump. They point to:
- Stricter screening
- Faster processing for removals
- Halting parole releases
- Formal end to broad “catch and release” practices
Supporters argue these steps reduce incentives for irregular migration and ease strain on frontline agents and border communities.
Critics, including migrant advocates, highlight humanitarian risks: fewer entries can leave people fleeing violence or economic collapse stranded in dangerous conditions outside the United States. Legal experts caution that asylum access and humanitarian processing must remain consistent with U.S. and international obligations.
Nonprofits and shelters along the border report lower intakes since spring but warn that abrupt policy changes can create bottlenecks elsewhere, including in transit countries.
Local community and operational impacts
For communities and agencies on the ground, the declines have mixed effects:
- Local governments: Lower encounters can ease pressure on schools, clinics, and shelters, giving leaders time to plan.
- Employers: Firms relying on seasonal labor say the drop shifts attention to legal channels (temporary visas processed by the State Department and USCIS).
- Worker advocates: Argue stronger enforcement can help stabilize wages in sectors affected by shadow employment.
- CBP/Border Patrol: Fewer apprehensions allow agents to focus on targeted operations against smuggling networks, including those tied to fentanyl shipments.
Homeland security analysts say sustaining these gains will require:
- Continued funding
- Modern scanning technology at ports of entry
- Robust intelligence‑sharing with foreign partners
What to watch next
The central question is durability. Several factors could change the trend:
- Seasonal shifts
- Conditions abroad (hurricanes, political unrest)
- Court rulings that may limit CBP’s processing tools
For now, the agency’s emphasis is clear: the four‑month stretch without interior releases and the halt to parole releases mark a decisive break from the patterns many associated with “catch and release.”
Practical guidance for those considering travel or migration:
- The enforcement posture at the southwest border remains strict, with rapid removals for those who don’t claim fear or do not qualify for protection.
- Parole programs active in parts of 2024 are not operating as before; CBP reports none have occurred since April 2025.
Local leaders say the quieter summer allowed some rest for staffing and supplies, though they remain cautious. Nonprofits report more bandwidth for case management, while legal aid groups encourage anyone with potential asylum claims to seek counsel before attempting to cross.
Community groups also advise sponsors and families to keep documentation ready for relatives in lawful processes to speed future interviews or checks.
Sources and monitoring
CBP urges the public to rely on official data for the latest figures. The agency’s monthly updates include totals by sector, nationalities, and processing outcomes, providing a clearer view of policy effects on the ground.
For the most current series on border encounters, monthly apprehensions, and related enforcement activity, visit the agency’s official CBP Stats and Summaries page.
VisaVerge.com reports that sustained monitoring over the next several months will show whether July 2025 and August 2025 become the new baseline or remain an outlier tied to summer enforcement.
This Article in a Nutshell
CBP’s July and August 2025 reports show historic lows in border encounters and apprehensions, with 24,628 encounters in July and 26,197 in August. Southwest Border Patrol apprehensions dropped sharply—about 92% year‑over‑year in July—while July 20 recorded a single‑day low of 116 apprehensions nationwide. The agency reports no parole releases since April 2025 and zero releases into the U.S. interior for four consecutive months, signaling an operational end to broad “catch and release” practices. CBP also highlighted enforcement successes beyond immigration, including 755 pounds of fentanyl seized in August, a 9.2% month‑over‑month rise in drug seizures, and $261 billion in processed imports. Officials attribute the declines to stricter screening, faster removals, and halted parole programs. Observers caution that humanitarian, legal, and seasonal factors could alter trends; sustained results will depend on funding, technology, and legal rulings.
