The United States wrapped up fiscal year 2026 with a record-breaking low of 379,243 migration encounters across the nation, as reported by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) based on preliminary figures released on Friday by Donald Trump's administration.
This number signifies a remarkable drop compared to the 2.7 million annual encounters average during Joe Biden's presidency, according to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Apprehensions by the Border Patrol along the southwest border also saw a 95% decrease from the previous administration's annual average, reaching 98,708 by the fiscal year ending September 30.
To illustrate the decline, the DHS highlighted that all detentions at that border over the past year were 60% lower than the 249,740 recorded in a single month during Biden's administration.
Notably, for the first time, the Border Patrol completed a fiscal year without releasing detained migrants at the border. September marked the seventeenth consecutive month of this policy, as reported by CBP.
"The results speak for themselves: strict law enforcement works," stated Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, presenting the numbers as outcomes of Trump's policies.
Impact on Cuban Migration
The drop is particularly significant for Cubans, who led one of the largest migration waves from the island between 2022 and 2024.
According to CBP statistics on migration encounters, U.S. authorities recorded 224,607 encounters with Cuban nationals in fiscal year 2022, followed by 200,287 in 2023, and 217,615 in 2024.
However, by fiscal year 2025, the number fell to 33,056, an approximate 85% reduction from the previous year.
This downward trend persisted into 2026, with data broken down by nationality up to August showing just 1,762 encounters with Cubans in the first eleven months of the fiscal year, including 156 in August.
These statistics account for encounters with immigration authorities, not necessarily unique individuals, as the same person may be recorded multiple times.
Stricter Immigration Processing
The Border Patrol's zero-release policy highlights the tougher immigration processing, though it doesn't mean all detained individuals are automatically deported or that all legal protection options have vanished.
For Cubans, the decline in border crossings aligns with increased restrictions on regular immigration pathways.
Starting January 1, 2026, Presidential Proclamation 10998 limits the issuance of immigrant visas for Cuban citizens, including categories for immediate relatives of Americans, with specific exceptions.
This is compounded by the termination of the Cuban Family Reunification Parole (CFRP) program, effective December 15, 2025.
The impact of these measures isn't confined to the border. A Cato Institute analysis revealed that the monthly reduction in legal entries to the U.S. was 2.7 times greater than that of irregular entries, based on available data up to February 2026.
The study also noted that border detentions had already significantly decreased during Biden's last year, although the decline persisted under the current administration.
The new DHS data emerges just weeks before the U.S. midterm elections on November 3, with Trump's administration touting the stricter immigration policies as one of its key achievements.
Key Questions on U.S. Migration Policy Changes
What led to the decrease in U.S. migration encounters in 2026?
The decrease is attributed to stricter immigration enforcement policies implemented by the Trump administration, including the zero-release policy and restrictions on regular immigration pathways.
How has Cuban migration to the U.S. been affected?
Cuban migration has significantly decreased, with encounters dropping by about 85% from fiscal year 2025 to 2026, alongside heightened restrictions on immigration avenues for Cubans.
Are all detained migrants deported under the new policies?
No, the zero-release policy does not mean automatic deportation for all detainees, as legal protection options may still be available.
What is Presidential Proclamation 10998?
Presidential Proclamation 10998 restricts the issuance of immigrant visas to Cuban citizens, with certain exceptions, affecting categories such as immediate family members of American citizens.