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DHS reports 34,631 nationwide encounters in January 2026, stating this is 87% below prior administration monthly average

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Evidence from credible sources supports the statement as accurate. Learn more in Methodology.

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CBP's published January 2026 encounter totals equal 34,631 and are 87% lower than the cited prior-administration monthly average.

Source summary
The Department of Homeland Security announced that preliminary January 2026 data show historically low border encounters and Southwest Border Patrol apprehensions, including 34,631 nationwide encounters and 6,073 apprehensions on the Southwest border. DHS said this is the ninth consecutive month in which Border Patrol released zero apprehended noncitizens into the U.S. interior and highlighted large drug seizures for January. Officials credited administration policies for the declines; DHS noted final numbers will be released in the coming weeks.
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Latest fact check

CBP/DHS published a DHS press release on Feb 4, 2026 stating: “34,631 total nationwide encounters in January—87% lower than the monthly average under the previous administration (230,849/month, February 2021–December 2024).” CBP’s own Nationwide Encounters reporting is the primary source for monthly encounter counts; the DHS release quotes CBP statistics directly, so the statement accurately reflects what DHS/CBP reported. Verdict: True — the claim correctly reports the figures as published by DHS/CBP on Feb 4, 2026.

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Timeline

  1. Update · Feb 05, 2026, 02:37 AMTrue
    CBP/DHS published a DHS press release on Feb 4, 2026 stating: “34,631 total nationwide encounters in January—87% lower than the monthly average under the previous administration (230,849/month, February 2021–December 2024).” CBP’s own Nationwide Encounters reporting is the primary source for monthly encounter counts; the DHS release quotes CBP statistics directly, so the statement accurately reflects what DHS/CBP reported. Verdict: True — the claim correctly reports the figures as published by DHS/CBP on Feb 4, 2026.
  2. Original article · Feb 04, 2026
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