❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported a 93 percent decrease in illegal crossings along the southwest border in May 2025 compared to the previous year.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: CBP Acting Commissioner Pete Flores, President Donald J. Trump, and Secretary Kristi Noem.
📍WHEN & WHERE: May 2025, Southwest Border, United States.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Border numbers continue to trend at historic lows, reinforcing the sustained success of our enforcement efforts in securing the homeland and protecting American communities.” – Pete Flores.
🎯IMPACT: CBP is achieving historic lows in illegal crossings and enhanced border security under President Trump, while also intercepting drugs, counterfeit goods, and addressing forced labor concerns.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released its operational statistics for May 2025, highlighting a 93 percent decrease in illegal crossings along the southwest border compared to May 2024. Acting Commissioner Pete Flores credited the Trump administration with providing historic support for CBP operations, stating, “Border numbers continue to trend at historic lows, reinforcing the sustained success of our enforcement efforts in securing the homeland and protecting American communities.”
In May 2025, the U.S. Border Patrol encountered 8,725 illegal aliens crossing the southwest border, a dramatic reduction from the 117,905 encounters reported in May 2024. Notably, the agency released zero illegal aliens into the country, a stark contrast to over 62,000 released in the same month last year, under former President Joe Biden. Nationwide, CBP averaged 952 daily encounters in May, marking the second-lowest daily average in CBP history.
Migrants release into the interior under the former Biden regime were responsible for a litany of serious crimes from rape to murder in parts of the United States.
CBP also reported significant drug interdictions, including the seizure of 718 pounds of fentanyl. Cocaine seizures rose by 19 percent, and heroin seizures saw a 191 percent increase from April to May. Additionally, CBP processed over 2.8 million entry summaries valued at more than $276 billion, collecting nearly $26.6 billion in duties.
Efforts to combat forced labor continued as CBP detained 132 shipments worth over $4.5 million for suspected use of forced labor, particularly linked to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. The agency also seized 2,973 shipments containing counterfeit goods valued at over $317 million.
CBP remains at the forefront of enforcing tariffs, implementing 22 presidential actions that resulted in $46.9 billion in tariff revenue from January through May 2025. The agency also conducted 67 audits in May, identifying $139 million in duties owed to the U.S. government. Agriculture specialists issued 7,806 emergency action notifications, safeguarding America’s agriculture and natural resources.
Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.