House Homeland Security Committee Reports Record-Low Border Encounters For Fiscal Year 2026

The House Committee on Homeland Security has released a “Border Brief” factsheet highlighting record-low border encounters at the start of Fiscal Year 2026. Attributing the success to Trump administration policies and congressional funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill, the report suggests a significant shift in national security and enforcement effectiveness.

Nationwide encounters in October and November 2025 totaled 60,940 — a 28 percent reduction from previous record lows and the lowest start to any fiscal year on record. Specifically, Southwest border apprehensions between ports of entry plummeted to 7,350 in November, representing an 84 percent decrease year-over-year. Daily apprehension averages have dropped by 95 percent compared to the prior administration. Notably, for seven consecutive months, the Border Patrol reported releasing no inadmissible aliens into the interior.

Beyond the numbers, the Committee emphasized targeted enforcement against violent criminals and drug traffickers. Key achievements include:

• Vulnerable Populations: The administration located over 62,000 unaccompanied children previously released to unvetted sponsors.
• Counter-Smuggling: While nationwide fentanyl seizures dropped 45 percent in FY25 — interpreted by officials as a sign of successful deterrence — CBP still seized over 1,500 pounds of the drug in November alone.
• Maritime Shifts: As land routes become more difficult to navigate, smuggling has shifted toward the sea. This was highlighted by a record Coast Guard seizure of 49,000 pounds of narcotics valued at over $362 million.

“Thanks to the work of our federal law enforcement our borders had yet another month of record low encounters,” GOP House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) said. “The historic investments in border security provided in the One Big Beautiful Bill made these successes possible, and I look forward to continued partnership with the administration to extend these historic successes throughout FY26. The Committee will continue working with the Trump administration to ensure our frontline personnel have the tools, resources, and support they need to carry out their mission and keep our homeland secure.”

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Subcommittee Chairman Michael Guest added, “2025 has been a record year for border security. I’m honored to work with President Trump to keep our border secure now and into 2026. Thank you, President Trump, for keeping your promise to secure the border.”

Recent testimony from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and FBI officials further underscored the focus on ensuring law enforcement has the resources necessary to maintain these security gains.