Trump DHS hits 16 straight months with 0 releases at the border

FIRST ON FOX – President Donald Trump's administration marked 16 consecutive months of making zero releases at the U.S.-Mexican border on Wednesday.

The Department of Homeland Security and U.S.

Customs and Border Protection announced the unprecedented record in a statement to Fox News Digital.

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the streak proves that President Donald Trump's policies "are working." "Catch and release is over, consequences are back, and illegal crossings have fallen to historic lows.

President Trump made a promise to the American people that he would make America safe again, and he has done just that by giving us the most secure border in American history," Mullin said.

"Border security starts with knowing who and what is entering our country – and controlling it on behalf of the American people," said CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott.

"That means people who cross illegally are apprehended, detained and removed – not released into the United States.

Our agents are enforcing that standard every day." TRUMP HITS DRAMATIC MILESTONE IN MASSIVE DEPARTURE FROM BIDEN BORDER PLAN: 'WHAT A DIFFERENCE' U.S.

Border Patrol said it apprehended 8,870 people along the Southwest border in August, which is 5% lower than July.

The August apprehension numbers were 94% lower than the average month under former President Joe Biden.

DHS also says it made zero parole releases in August, compared to the Border Patrol releasing over 10,000 in August 2024 under Biden.

Other law enforcement numbers at the border remain strong as well, with fiscal year drug seizures up 73% compared to the same fiscal period under Biden in 2024.

Drug seizures are also up 61% compared to the average of the past four years.

CBP OFFICERS SEIZE $67 MILLION IN ILLEGAL DRUGS AT SAN DIEGO BORDER PORTS, DHS SAYS The rise in drug seizures comes largely from cocaine and precursor chemicals.