The Department of Homeland Security has declared historically low border crossing numbers the “new normal,” marking 11 consecutive months without catch-and-release policies while raising questions about why emergency powers are being expanded when apprehensions have fallen to their lowest levels since 1966.
Story Snapshot
- Border Patrol apprehensions averaged just 6,897 per month in the first five months of fiscal year 2026, the lowest monthly average in 60 years
- DHS has operated 11 consecutive months without catch-and-release policies for illegal immigrants as of March 2026
- Despite record-low border encounters, DHS issued an emergency notice citing “imminent mass influx” to expand federal and local enforcement authority
- New DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin brings quieter management style after chaotic tenure under predecessor Kristi Noem
Record-Low Border Numbers Declared Permanent Trend
The Department of Homeland Security and Border Patrol announced in April 2026 that current low levels of migrant encounters represent the “new normal” at the U.S.-Mexico border. Border Patrol apprehensions averaged 6,897 per month during the first five months of fiscal year 2026, beginning in October 2025. These figures mark the lowest monthly average since 1966, a dramatic reversal from previous years. The decline follows the Trump administration’s suspension of asylum rights at the border, which federal courts have upheld, combined with widespread fear of mass deportation operations targeting migrants already inside the United States.
Eleven Months Without Catch-and-Release Policy
March 2026 marked the 11th consecutive month that Border Patrol operated without implementing catch-and-release policies for illegal immigrants apprehended at the southern border. This sustained departure from previous practices represents a significant operational shift in immigration enforcement. The elimination of catch-and-release aligns with the administration’s hardline approach to border security, which emphasizes detention and deportation over processing migrants into the interior. Similar declines in migrant encounters have been reported in Mexico and Panama, suggesting the deterrent effect extends beyond U.S. borders. Career DHS officials describe the current environment as more stable compared to the operational chaos under former Secretary Kristi Noem.
Emergency Powers Expanded Despite Historic Calm
On March 26, 2026, DHS published a Federal Register notice proclaiming an ongoing “mass influx” of migrants at the border, despite the record-low apprehension numbers. Immigration attorney Chris Thomas identified the notice as a legal trigger allowing the federal government to deputize state and local law enforcement under an “immigration emergency.” This raises fundamental questions about government transparency and accountability. If border encounters have dropped to 60-year lows, why does DHS need expanded emergency authority? The contradiction between the data and the declared emergency reflects a pattern that frustrates Americans across the political spectrum who suspect government agencies prioritize power accumulation over honest communication with the public.
Leadership Transition Brings Operational Stability
New DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin has brought a lower-profile management approach compared to his predecessor Kristi Noem, whose tenure was marked by high-profile enforcement stunts and internal chaos at the agency. Mullin paused a $38 billion warehouse construction plan for review and is expected to execute the administration’s hardline immigration agenda more quietly and efficiently. White House Border Czar Tom Homan oversees mass deportation operations alongside senior advisor Stephen Miller, who runs daily accountability calls influencing hiring, arrest, and detention decisions. A senior DHS official praised Mullin on March 25, 2026, for restoring “normal order” after what the official described as “freaking chaos” under previous leadership. The shift suggests that effective enforcement may not require theatrical displays.
Funding Battles and Partial Agency Shutdown
DHS currently operates under a partial shutdown after Congress passed major appropriations in July 2025 that excluded funding for ICE and Border Patrol. Democrats demanded reforms to immigration enforcement agencies as a condition for approving funding, while Republicans are pursuing a three-year funding package through budget reconciliation to bypass Democratic objections. The funding impasse has delayed some operations even as apprehension numbers remain low. Reports indicate that ICE staff are experiencing stress-related health issues amid the political battles and operational pressures. This situation exemplifies the dysfunction that angers voters who believe elected officials care more about partisan positioning than solving actual problems affecting American communities and border security.
Potential Spring Migration Uptick on Horizon
Despite the historic lows, officials noted a slight uptick in apprehensions in February 2026, potentially signaling seasonal patterns that typically occur in spring months. The Washington Office on Latin America predicts a possible modest increase in non-Mexican migration, though numbers remain far below historical norms. Travel advisories continue to note persistent border risks in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. If asylum suspensions and deportation fears continue to hold, long-term encounters may remain suppressed. However, the emergency powers expansion suggests DHS anticipates scenarios requiring enhanced enforcement capabilities. Whether this represents prudent preparation or preemptive authority-grabbing remains a point of contention among observers watching how the government wields power over immigration policy.
Sources:
DHS says border calm is ‘the new normal’ – Washington Times
