By Gina Yarbrough
San Diego, CA–U.S. Customs and Border Protection newly released statistics show a sharp decline in migrant apprehensions in the U.S. Border Patrol’s San Diego Sector at the start of the current fiscal year.
According to Border Patrol data, agents recorded 1,793 apprehensions during the first two months of the fiscal year, a decrease of about 93 percent compared with the same period a year earlier, when 24,735 apprehensions were reported. The agency said activity at this level has not been recorded in the sector since the 1960s.
San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Justin De La Torre said the decrease reflects a combination of policy changes and operational factors. Among them, he cited an end to the practice of releasing some migrants into the United States while they awaited immigration proceedings, along with increased use of expedited removals and federal prosecutions for illegal entry.
“By no longer releasing people into the U.S., we have removed the incentive for those considering illegal entry via smuggling routes,” De La Torre said. “We no longer have people illegally entering and surrendering to agents, expecting to be released, which allows Border Patrol agents to return to patrol and interdiction efforts rather than processing and releasing hundreds of illegal aliens a day.”
De La Torre said these measures have reduced incentives for people to attempt unauthorized crossings and allowed agents to focus more on patrol and enforcement activities rather than processing large numbers of migrants.
He also pointed to expanded border infrastructure and technology, coordination with local, state, federal and international partners, and additional barrier construction as contributing factors. The sector is currently adding about 14 miles of new border barrier in the eastern portion of its jurisdiction, according to Border Patrol officials.
In addition to the decline in apprehensions, the sector reported continued narcotics enforcement activity.
Border Patrol officials said the San Diego Sector seized more than 11,000 pounds of methamphetamine during fiscal year 2025. During the first two months of fiscal year 2026, agents reported seizing 970 pounds of methamphetamine, 555 pounds of cocaine and 113 pounds of fentanyl.
