U.S. Did Not Release Any of the Over 8,000 Migrants Detained at the Border in May

US Did Not Release Migrants Detained

8,725 Detentions in May

Figures Remain at Historic Lows

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that no undocumented migrants detained in May after crossing the southwest border were released.

The total number of arrests that month was 8,725 people, a slight increase compared to April, when 8,383 detentions were recorded.

Compared to March, which saw 7,184 detentions, this represents an increase of 1,541 cases.

Despite this uptick, authorities highlighted that the numbers remain significantly lower than those from the same month last year.

US Border Detentions Increase

US Did Not Release Any of the Migrants Detained – Photo: Shutterstock

In May 2024, there were 117,905 detentions, representing a 93% decrease compared to that period.

The US government attributes this reduction to new border control measures implemented since the beginning of the year.

CBP stated in its official release: “US Border Patrol did not release any undocumented noncitizens into our country.”

This zero-release approach contrasts with previous policies that allowed temporary entry while immigration cases were processed.

Since January, only nine people detained at the border have been admitted into the United States.

Four of them are essential witnesses in a criminal investigation.

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Another four entered for medical reasons.

And one more was granted entry strictly for humanitarian reasons, according to data released by the White House.

Interim CBP Commissioner Pete Flores emphasized the success of the current approach in the statement.

“Border enforcement numbers continue to remain at historic lows, which reinforces the sustained success of our law enforcement efforts to ensure national security and protect American communities,” Flores stated.

Additionally, the national average of daily encounters, including those at ports of entry, was approximately 952 per day in May.

This figure represents a 2% decrease compared to April 2025.

According to the government, this is the second-lowest daily average of encounters ever recorded by CBP.

The published data reinforces the official narrative that border control has been strengthened under current policies.

As tensions and debates continue around immigration policy in the United States, the latest figures reflect a clear shift toward stricter border enforcement.

The current focus on security and a drastic reduction in releases raises questions about the future of asylum and the rights of migrants in transit.

Do you think this zero-release policy at the border is an effective measure or a disproportionate response to migration?

SOURCE: EFE