July border crossings still historically low, but highest since January

(The Center Square) – The number of foreign nationals apprehended nationwide was historically low in July but the highest they’ve been since January, according to the latest data released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. 

The increase is largely due to a greater number of illegal border crossers being apprehended by CBP and Border Patrol agents attempting illegal entry from Canada.

There were 33,799 illegal border crosser apprehensions in July, the highest this year since January, when 34,630 were reported. The number dropped in February and hovered between 31,000 and 32,000 through June.

Overall, the numbers are historically low compared to 245,154 reported in July 2023 and 170,180 in July 2024 during the Biden administration, according to the data.

The greatest number of illegal border crossers apprehended this year at the northern border were 6,594 in July. That’s an increase of more than 1,600 over the month and nearly double the number apprehended last November. 

They were still significantly lower than a record high of 18,569 apprehended in July 2023 under the Biden administration.  

With two months left in the fiscal year, there have been 44,135 illegal border crossers apprehended at the northern border, roughly a quarter of what the total was two years ago. The fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

Under the Biden administration, the greatest number of illegal border crossers and the greatest number of foreign nationals on the terrorist watch list were reported at the northern border in U.S. history, The Center Square reported.

At the southwest border, 12,730 were apprehended in July, slightly down from last month and up from March. CBP says Border Patrol apprehensions between ports of entry decreased in July by 6% over the month.  They were a significant drop from the 183,556 illegal border crossers apprehended at the southwest border in July 2023. 

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Last month, Border Patrol apprehensions between ports of entry at the southwest border were 94% lower than the monthly average of the Biden administration. They were also 96% lower than the total apprehended in December 2023, at the height of the border crisis when the greatest number of illegal crossings were reported. 

With two months left in the fiscal year, 115,762 illegal border crossers have been reported at the southwest border – less than the total of July 2023.

“The sustained decline in illegal border crossings and apprehensions – now at levels not seen in over three decades – shows the profound impact of robust enforcement policies,” CBP said. “With daily apprehensions down 94% from the previous administration, the border remains more secure than at any point in history.” 

“Clear policy, strong enforcement, and dedicated frontline personnel are delivering results at our borders,” CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott said in a statement. “CBP is securing our nation against illegal crossings, dangerous individuals, and illicit drugs while keeping lawful trade and travel moving. These results show what is possible when border security is treated as a national priority.”

As in previous years, the greatest number of illegal border crossers apprehended last month were single adults, more than 287,000. That’s down from more than 503,000 in 2025, nearly 1.8 million in 2024 and more than 2 million in 2023. 

The number of unaccompanied alien children, UACs, being released into the country is also down. So far this year, 7,534 UACs have been released into the country nationwide. That’s down from 137,992 in 2023, according to the data.

CBP also reported higher volumes of drug seizures in July over the year and compared to during the Biden administration.  

Drug seizures in July were 26% higher than they were under the Biden administration and 26% higher over the year. 

CBP officers seized more than 1,000 pounds of fentanyl and more than 79 pounds of heroin last month, representing 3% and 20% increases over the month, respectively.