Kristi Noem Says U.S. Border Now ‘Most Secure’ in History Under Trump Leadership [WATCH]

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem declared Friday that the United States border is the “most secure” in the nation’s history, citing newly released Customs and Border Protection data showing an eighth consecutive month of zero parole releases under the Trump administration, as reported by Fox News.

In a post on X, Noem highlighted CBP figures for December 2025, crediting President Trump and federal law enforcement officers with delivering what she described as historic border security results in a single year.

“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and the dedication of DHS law enforcement, America’s borders are safer than any time in our nation’s history,” Noem wrote.

“What President Trump and our CBP agents and officers have been able to do in a single year is nothing short of extraordinary.”

According to CBP, there were zero parole releases nationwide in December. That figure stands in sharp contrast to December 2024, when 7,041 migrants were released along the southwest border during the Biden administration.

“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.”

Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and the dedication of DHS law enforcement, America’s borders are safer than any time in our nation’s history. What President Trump and our CBP agents and officers have been able to do in a single year is nothing short of extraordinary.

Once…

— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) January 16, 2026

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CBP data shows total nationwide encounters from October through December fell to 91,603, marking the lowest number ever recorded at the start of a fiscal year. The figure is also 25 percent below the previous record low set in 2012.

December alone accounted for 30,698 encounters nationwide, according to CBP. That total represents a 92 percent decrease from the Biden-era peak of 370,883 encounters and is the lowest December total on record.

Along the southwest border, Border Patrol agents recorded 21,815 apprehensions during the first quarter of fiscal year 2026. CBP noted that figure reflects a 95 percent drop compared to the Biden administration’s first-quarter average.

In December, Border Patrol agents made 6,478 apprehensions along the southwest border.

CBP said that number represents a 96 percent decrease from the Biden administration’s monthly average and is fewer than what agents encountered in just four days in December 2024.

On a daily basis, Border Patrol agents averaged 209 apprehensions per day during December. By comparison, CBP noted that under the Biden administration, agents faced more than that number every 1.5 hours.

“Our agents and officers have set a new standard for border security, achieving historic results that speak for themselves,” CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott said in a statement.

In addition to the decline in encounters, CBP reported seizing 39,030 pounds of illicit drugs nationwide during December.

“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.

The December figures cap a year in which the Trump administration has emphasized aggressive enforcement, interior cooperation, and expanded support for frontline border personnel, according to DHS officials.

CBP officials said the data reflects sustained operational control and enforcement consistency across multiple months, rather than a single short-term decline.

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