Border Patrol records indicate a dramatic decrease in known "got-aways" nationwide, with the running average now 97 percent below the record peaks observed in 2023. A source within Customs and Border Protection (CBP) revealed that while the average once exceeded 2,000 individuals per day during the height of 2023, current daily figures for known got-aways are consistently below 50. In a recent 14-day period in April, only 640 got-aways were recorded across the entire southwest border.
The agency attributes these significant reductions to targeted special operations in several southwest border sectors. These operations aim to further decrease the number of individuals who evade apprehension after crossing the border. Previously, in the first six months of fiscal year 2023, Breitbart Texas reported that over 400,000 migrants were classified as known got-aways.
Estimating got-aways involves a multi-faceted approach. Border Patrol agents gather intelligence during routine patrols, noting detected footprints and collecting information from apprehended illegal aliens. The agency also incorporates data from citizen reports, advanced security camera systems equipped with radar, and aerial surveillance platforms, both manned and unmanned.
According to the CBP source, these special operations have been instrumental in driving down got-away numbers to historic lows. However, the ultimate objective remains the complete elimination of all known got-aways. "It's a lofty goal and one that gets harder as the smugglers try to get more creative," the source stated, highlighting the ongoing challenges posed by smuggling organizations.
One such initiative, dubbed "Operation Agile Shield," involves deploying 200 volunteer Border Patrol agents from various sectors across the country to the Laredo, Texas, sector. This operation specifically targets the unique challenges in Laredo, a key entry point for commercial traffic. "Laredo is a unique environment where more than 10,000 commercial trucks enter the United States daily, that many semi-tractor trailers entering the country and leaving the area is a draw for smugglers," the source explained.
Agents involved in Operation Agile Shield patrol areas where alien smuggling is likely to occur, including industrial parks, outlying colonias, and remote ranches. The focus is on disrupting smuggling networks that exploit the high volume of legitimate commercial traffic and the vast, often remote, terrain.
In 2023, CBP reported a total of 2,045,838 apprehensions along the southwest border. The monthly average of illegal alien border arrests during that peak year under the Biden administration surpassed 170,000. Many of these individuals were subsequently released into the United States to pursue asylum claims.
In contrast, CBP data shows a significant decline in fiscal year 2026. Between October and March, a total of 42,757 illegal alien arrests were made at the southwest border. This represents a 95 percent decrease from the 2023 peak monthly average, with the current monthly average for illegal arrests falling to just over 7,000 for the first six months of fiscal year 2026.
The source attributes these achievements to policy changes and effective messaging regarding the consequences of illegal entry. "They know release at the immediate border is not happening anymore," the source commented, indicating a shift in deterrence strategies.
Further underscoring this shift, Department of Homeland Security data indicates that March 2026 marked the tenth consecutive month with zero illegal alien releases at the border. This policy change aims to discourage illegal crossings by ensuring that individuals apprehended are not immediately released into the U.S. to await immigration proceedings.
