The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Friday a "record decline" in the number of undocumented immigrants entering the United States.

In an official statement, the department said: "For the third time this year, we've recorded a historic drop in nationwide apprehensions of undocumented migrants, including the lowest single-day encounter numbers in border crossing cases."

The statement added: "Preliminary July data confirms illegal border crossings have plummeted to their lowest levels ever. The daily apprehension rate along the entire Southwest border for July was lower than the Biden administration's average daily numbers."

DHS emphasized that "no undocumented migrants were released last month, making July the third consecutive month with zero migrant releases among those detained for illegal border crossings."

Historic Border Security Achievements

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated in the release: "History has been made again... The numbers don't lie — these are the most secure borders in U.S. history."

Noem credited President Trump's policies: "President Trump didn't just manage the crisis — he ended it completely. No more excuses, no more catch-and-release. We've put drug cartels on defense and taken back control of our borders."

Immigration as Key Election Issue

Immigration remains a cornerstone of Trump's reelection campaign. The former president has vowed to execute "the largest mass deportation operation" of undocumented immigrants in American history if reelected — a promise first made during his initial presidential campaign.