DHS Secretary Noem Visits Arizona and North Dakota as Agency Reports Decline in Border Encounters

• TrueBorder Patrol reports nine consecutive months with zero releases, through January 2026
• TrueSouthwest border apprehensions reported at 6,073 in January 2026, said to be 93% below 33‑year average
• TrueDepartment reports 34,631 nationwide encounters in January 2026, said to be lowest January on record
• TrueDHS cites preliminary January 2026 data saying southern border daily apprehensions are 42% lower than one-hour peak in Dec 2023
• GoalDHS says it will fully replace Border Patrol drone fleet; cites acquisition of 300 small drones in FY25

Key takeaways

• DHS published a press release saying Secretary Kristi Noem traveled to Nogales, Arizona and Grand Forks, North Dakota on February 4, 2026 to discuss border security.
• DHS and CBP reported preliminary January figures they say include the ninth consecutive month in which the U.S. Border Patrol released zero illegal aliens.
• The release cites January totals of 6,073 Southwest apprehensions (described as 93% lower than the 33-year monthly average) and 34,631 nationwide encounters for January (described as 87% lower than the previous administration's monthly average).
• The release claims January showed "42% fewer illegal aliens were apprehended at the southern border per day than in a single hour during the height of the previous administration (336 per hour in December 2023)."
• Noem and ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott, USBP Chief Michael Banks, and NBPC President Paul Perez participated in the Arizona event; Noem and Lyons met North Dakota officials including Grand Forks Mayor Brandon Bochenski and Sheriff Andrew Schneider.
• DHS said it will fully replace the USBP drone fleet and noted the prior acquisition and deployment of 300 small unmanned aircraft systems in FY25.

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