In May, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) encountered 8,725 illegal aliens crossing the southwest border between ports of entry, according to the agency’s Stats and Summaries webpage. In 2024, the figure was 117,905.
“Under the leadership of this administration, CBP has received historic support resulting in another 93 percent decrease in illegal crossings along the southwest border this month when compared with last year,” Pete Flores, CBP acting commissioner, said. “Border numbers continue to trend at historic lows, reinforcing the sustained success of our enforcement efforts in securing the homeland and protecting American communities.”
The number of encounters in May 2025 averaged approximately 952 daily, down 2 percent from a year ago, and no illegal aliens were released into the United States.
Other findings on the webpage include:
Both cocaine and heroin seizures increased from April to May. Cocaine seizures jumped 19 percent while heroin seizures spiked 191 percent. In addition, CBP seized 718 pounds of fentanyl.
Ocean trade accounted for 38 percent of total import value. CBP processed more than 2.8 million entry summaries valued at more than $276 billion and identified estimated duties of nearly $26.6 billion.
CBP seized 2,973 shipments containing counterfeit goods valued at more than $317 million.