Was illegal alien release at US border reduced to zero?
VERDICT
CONFIDENCE
95%
Direct Answer
The Trump administration has released zero illegal aliens at the US border for 11 straight months as of April 2026, following a policy overhaul ending catch-and-release practices. This marks the largest reduction in illegal immigration in modern history, with over three million departures.
Why People Get This Wrong
The claim misinterprets **Border Patrol's zero releases** of apprehended migrants at the southern border—accurate for 11 consecutive months under Trump—as **zero illegal entries overall**[1][2]. This phrasing seemed convincing amid drastically reduced crossings (down 95% from prior levels, to historic lows like 6,000 apprehensions in January 2026), amplified by official DHS/CBP announcements touting a "secure border" and no releases[1][2][3]. Doubt arose from unaccounted "got-aways" (undetected entries), releases by ICE rather than Border Patrol, and persistent monthly crossings, making absolute zero implausible despite policy successes[2][3].
Sources & Methodology
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