CBP announces its tenth consecutive month of zero releases at the border, apprehensions down 97 percent from the Biden administration peak, and the highest single-month drug seizure totals since October 2021.
The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection released February 2026 border statistics that continue a streak not seen in modern American history — ten consecutive months in which U.S. Border Patrol has not released a single illegal alien into the interior of the United States.
At the same time, CBP recorded its highest single month of drug seizures in more than four years — removing nearly 80,000 pounds of narcotics from the pipeline before they could reach American communities.
“Ten straight months of zero illegal aliens released at the border. President Trump promised to secure the border, and that is a promise we delivered,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. “We have the most secure border in American history. Our borders are closed to lawbreakers.”
Border Enforcement at Historic Levels
The numbers behind the announcement are significant across every metric.
CBP’s total encounters in February — 26,963 — were 22 percent lower than January and 88 percent below the monthly average under the Biden administration. This fiscal year’s total encounters of 153,155 are 40 percent lower than the month of February 2024 alone.
Southwest border apprehensions in February totaled 6,603 — 92 percent lower than the monthly average over the last 33 years and 97 percent below the peak of the Biden administration recorded in December 2023. February marked the 13th consecutive month of fewer than 9,000 southwest border apprehensions.
The daily average of 236 apprehensions per day along the southwest border in February was 95 percent lower than the daily average under the Biden administration. To put that figure in context: at the height of the Biden administration’s border crisis in December 2023, CBP was recording 336 illegal crossings per hour. February 2026 averaged 236 per day.
“February marks the tenth straight month that U.S. Border Patrol has not released a single illegal alien into the interior of the United States — a clear reflection of the enforcement-first posture restoring integrity to our nation’s borders,” said CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott.
Drug Seizures at a Four-Year High
CBP recorded 79,609 pounds of narcotics seized in February — its highest single-month total since October 2021, representing an 84 percent increase from January. Every major drug category increased month over month.
Marijuana seizures increased 129 percent from January. Fentanyl seizures increased 67 percent. Methamphetamine seizures increased 46 percent. Cocaine seizures increased 39 percent. Heroin seizures increased 10 percent.
These numbers represent drugs that did not reach American neighborhoods, American schools, or American families. The fentanyl seizures alone — given that a lethal dose measures in milligrams — represent a number of potential overdose deaths that is difficult to calculate.
Trade, Forced Labor, and Counterfeit Goods
CBP’s role extends beyond border security into economic and consumer protection. In February, CBP processed $262 billion in imports and identified $26 billion in duties for collection.
On supply chain integrity, CBP stopped 266 shipments valued at more than $11 million for potential forced labor violations — goods that may have been produced using exploited workers in violation of U.S. trade law. CBP also seized 443 shipments containing counterfeit goods valued at over $580 million — fake products that would have defrauded American consumers and stolen revenue from legitimate businesses.
Protecting American Agriculture
CBP agriculture specialists issued 6,533 emergency action notifications for restricted or prohibited plant and animal products attempting to enter the country — a critical line of defense against invasive species, plant diseases, and agricultural pests that can devastate American crops and ecosystems. Agents also recorded 89,688 positive passenger inspections and issued 536 civil penalties for undeclared prohibited agricultural items.
For the complete February 2026 CBP statistics, visit cbp.gov/newsroom/stats.
