Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks at a press conference to discuss ongoing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, as part of U.S. President Donald Trump's immigration policy, at One World Trade Center in New York City, on Jan. 8, 2026. (David 'Dee' Delgado/Reuters)
TRUMP HAS MADE THE BORDER SECURE AGAIN — BUT NOW THE HARD PART BEGINS
"Once again, we have a record low number of encounters at the border and the 8th straight month of zero releases," Noem said. "Month after month, we are delivering results that were once thought impossible: the most secure border in history and unmatched enforcement successes."
According to CBP, total nationwide encounters from October through December fell to 91,603, the lowest ever recorded at the start of a fiscal year and 25% below the previous record low set in 2012.
December alone saw just 30,698 encounters nationwide, a 92% drop from the Biden-era peak of 370,883 and the lowest December total on record, according to the federal agency.
THE NEW HIGH-TECH TOOL TRUMP IS USING TO SECURE OUR BORDER
Aerial view of a US Border Patrol pickup next to the wall being constructed at the US-Mexico border in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, US, as seen from Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua state, Mexico on Jan. 14, 2026. (Herika Martinez / AFP via Getty Images)
CBP also seized 39,030 pounds of illicit drugs nationwide in December.
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"The men and women of CBP are demonstrating what’s possible through unwavering commitment and effective enforcement and will continue to ensure the safety and security of our nation’s borders every single day," Scott added.
Sophia Compton is a Writer at Fox News Digital. Sophia was previously a business reporter covering finance, energy and tourism and has experience as a TV news producer. She graduated with a journalism degree in 2021 from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/noem-declares-americas-border-most-secure-nations-history-under-trump-administration