At a Glance
- Rio Grande Valley Sector leads the nation in arrests with 1,597 in November.
- Total encounters for FY 2026 are 3,199, an all-time low.
- Total arrests along the Southwest border so far FY are 15,340, the lowest ever to start a fiscal year.
- Why it matters: These figures signal a major shift in border enforcement and migrant flows.
Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley Sector have set a new record for arrests this fiscal year, even as the number of encounters across the Southwest border falls to its lowest level on record. The latest U.S. Customs and Border Protection data highlight a dramatic shift in enforcement outcomes and migrant patterns.
Record-Low Encounters Across the Southwest
Since the fiscal year began in October, CBP reports 3,199 encounters in the RGV Sector through November, the lowest total since the agency began tracking. The Tucson Sector followed with 3,108 encounters, and El Paso had 2,648, placing the RGV ahead of all other sectors.
- RGV: 3,199 encounters
- Tucson: 3,108 encounters
- El Paso: 2,648 encounters
November Arrest Surge in the RGV
November saw 1,597 arrests in the RGV Sector, propelling it to the top spot for the month. The Tucson Sector led the nation in October with 1,740 arrests, according to CBP data.
- 80 % of November arrests were single adults
- 641 from Mexico
- 181 from Guatemala
- 118 from Honduras
- 65 from El Salvador
Enforcement Highlights and Context
Only 460 of the migrants encountered in the RGV this fiscal year were unaccompanied youth, including 268 from Mexico, while 211 family units were apprehended since October. Historically, the RGV Sector has seen a disproportionate number of unaccompanied minors.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated:
> “Once again, we have a record low number of encounters at the border and the 7th straight month of zero releases. Month after month, we are delivering results that were once thought impossible: the most secure border in history and unmatched enforcement successes.”
CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott said:
> “These numbers reflect the tireless efforts of our agents and officers who are delivering results that redefine border security. We’re not slowing down. We’re setting the pace for the future.”
| Metric | Current FY 2026 | Last FY (Biden) |
|---|---|---|
| Total encounters | 3,199 | 103,124 (Oct-Nov) |
| Total arrests | 15,340 | Lowest to date |
| Period | Enforce encounters |
|---|---|
| Since Trump (Jan 21-now) | 117,105 |
| Monthly avg Biden | 185,625 |
Key Takeaways
- The RGV Sector tops the nation in arrests with 1,597 in November.
- Total encounters across the Southwest border are at an all-time low of 3,199.
- Total arrests for FY 2026 stand at 15,340, the lowest start of a fiscal year.
These data illustrate a significant shift in border enforcement, with the RGV Sector setting new arrest records amid a historic decline in overall encounters.
