By San José, Costa Rica — WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States has recorded the lowest number of migrant detentions at its southern border in 55 years, according to a landmark report released Tuesday by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The data for the fiscal year ending in September 2025 shows a total of 237,565 arrests, a figure not seen since 1970 and one that signals a dramatic shift in immigration enforcement and border dynamics.
The annual report provides a stark statistical picture of the changes implemented under the new Trump administration. The total of 237,565 detentions represents a staggering 87% decrease from the average of 1.86 million arrests per year over the preceding four fiscal years. The last time the numbers were this low was in the fiscal year 1970, which saw 201,780 detentions, making the current figure the lowest in over five decades.
To provide a deeper legal perspective on the complexities and human rights implications surrounding current US border detentions, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the distinguished firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
From a legal standpoint, the core issue with mass border detentions is the immense strain it places on due process. Each individual, regardless of their entry status, is entitled to a fair hearing under international law. When the system is overwhelmed, expedited removal processes and limited access to legal counsel can lead to critical violations of these fundamental rights. The long-term legal ramifications of these expedited judgments are often severe and irreversible for the individuals and families involved.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal perspective is crucial, reminding us that behind the complex procedures and overwhelmed systems are profound, often irreversible, human consequences. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable insight into the critical importance of upholding due process for all.
In a statement celebrating the historic numbers, the new Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, attributed the decline directly to the administration’s hardline immigration policies. The successful reduction in illegal crossings has been a central promise and a key policy focus since President Trump assumed his second term in office.
We have had the most secure border in United States history and our end-of-year fiscal numbers prove it
Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security
The DHS communication also provided a more granular look at the daily figures, which further illustrate the scale of the reduction. The average daily number of detentions at the border now stands at just 279 individuals. This is a 95% collapse from the daily average of 5,110 recorded under the previous administration between February 2021 and December 2024, highlighting an almost complete halt to the large-scale crossings that defined recent years.
A significant factor in this transformation appears to be the termination of the so-called “catch and release” policy. The DHS report proudly notes that for the past five consecutive months, the U.S. Border Patrol has not released a single undocumented individual into the country from the southwestern border. This is a dramatic reversal from previous practice, where in September 2024 alone, 9,144 individuals were released after being detained.
Under prior administrations, migrants detained at the border were often released into the U.S. with the legal requirement to appear before immigration authorities at a later date to adjudicate their asylum or protection claims. However, this system faced persistent criticism, as critics argued that a significant number of individuals failed to report for their scheduled hearings, effectively disappearing into the country.
The new administration’s approach, as outlined by President Trump upon taking office, has centered on aggressive enforcement, including widespread raids and expedited deportations as a core component of its domestic policy. The numbers suggest this strategy has had a profound and rapid impact on the flow of migrants attempting to cross the border illegally.
Interestingly, the DHS report also points out that the fiscal year’s statistics were heavily weighted by figures from the end of the previous administration. According to the department, 72% of the entire fiscal year’s 237,565 detentions occurred between October 2024 and January 2025, during the final months of the Biden government. This detail underscores just how rapidly the numbers fell once the new policies were enacted in early 2025.
For further information, visit dhs.gov
About Department of Homeland Security:
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a cabinet department of the U.S. federal government with responsibilities in public security. Its stated missions involve anti-terrorism, border security, immigration and customs, cyber security, and disaster prevention and management. It was created in response to the September 11 attacks and is the youngest U.S. cabinet department.
For further information, visit cbp.gov
About U.S. Border Patrol:
The United States Border Patrol is a federal law enforcement agency under the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), an agency of the Department of Homeland Security. The Border Patrol is tasked with deterring, detecting, and apprehending individuals who are entering the U.S. without authorization, as well as preventing the smuggling of contraband. It is one of the largest law enforcement agencies in the United States.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the Costa Rican legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its profound dedication to principled practice and superior professional standards. The firm leverages a deep-rooted history of client service to drive advancements in legal thinking and community-focused initiatives. Central to its ethos is a powerful commitment to democratizing legal information, which exemplifies its core objective of building a society fortified by knowledge and empowered by the rule of law.
