by Ethan Faverino | Jan 10, 2026 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Protection (CBP) announced that border security metrics have reached new highs in effectiveness, marked by declining encounters, zero releases of apprehended individuals, surging drug seizures, dramatic reductions in Arizona crossings, and major investments in advanced border infrastructure.
Preliminary CBP data for November 2025 showed total nationwide encounters dropping to 30,367—lower than October’s historic low of 30,573—and marked the seventh consecutive month of zero releases into the United States. Every individual that was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) was processed according to law, a milestone described as unmatched in modern border history.
“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,” said Secretary Kristi Noem. “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and the dedication of DHS law enforcement, America’s borders are safer than ever before.”
CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott added, “Our focus is unwavering: secure the border, enforce the law, and protect this nation. 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.”
Key highlights from the data include:
- The lowest start to any fiscal year on record, with only 60,940 total nationwide encounters in October and November—28% below the previous low of 84,293 in FY2012.
- From January 21 through November, total enforcement encounters along the southwest border stood at 117,105—37% less than the Biden administration’s monthly average of 185,625.
- USBP nationwide apprehensions have averaged under 10,000 per month since President Trump took office.
- Southwest border daily average apprehensions fell to 245 per day—a 95% reduction from the prior administration’s average of 5,110 per day.
Drug interdiction efforts also intensified, with nationwide seizures totaling 54,947 pounds in November—a 33% increase from October. Fentanyl seizures rose 59% to 1,543 pounds, methamphetamine seizures surged 118% to 21,935 pounds, and cocaine seizures increased 40% to 8,420 pounds.
In Arizona, illegal border crossings have plummeted under the current administration. FY2025 saw 63,813 apprehensions, a fraction of the prior years’ totals: 564,215 in FY24, 576,901 in FY23, and 571,720 in FY22.
This represents an approximate reduction of 92% from illegal entries and gotaways during the Biden administration, with FY25 apprehensions 66% lower than those in the Biden era.
To further fortify these gains, DHS and CBP announced five new contracts totaling $3.3 billion for “Smart Wall” construction in Texas and Arizona, bringing the total Smart Wall contracts to $8 billion.
The contracts, issued in November and December 2025, will add 97 miles of primary border wall, 19 miles of secondary wall, 66 miles of waterborne barrier system, and extensive detection technology (including 149 miles in areas with existing barriers).
The Tucson 2 Wall Project will construct approximately 19 miles of primary and secondary wall plus 136 miles of detection technology in Arizona’s Tucson sector.
“Securing our border is key to protecting our country, keeping our communities safe, and making sure our immigration system works the way it should, said CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott. “A border wall with the right technology—a Smart Wall—is an important tool to stop illegal activity and to help agents do their job, which is critical in keeping America safe.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Jan 5, 2026 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) remain steadfast in their core responsibility to defend American communities by apprehending and removing dangerous criminal offenders, even as political leaders intensify efforts to undermine these essential law enforcement operations.
In a recent action, DHS and ICE arrested Anel Billy Irigoyen Portillo, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico previously convicted in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona for importing fentanyl—a deadly narcotic that has ravaged families, fueled widespread addiction, and claimed countless lives across Arizona and the nation.
Portillo’s arrest is in line with the focus of DHS and ICE to target narcotics traffickers and other violent offenders who pose direct threats to public safety.
“While federal agents conduct lawful operations to protect public safety, newly elected Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva has chosen to publicly attack DHS and ICE, portraying enforcement actions as misconduct rather than acknowledging the clear and documented threat posed by violent criminal offenders,” said Representative John Gillette (R-LD30). “This rhetoric undermines law enforcement, encourages resistance to lawful authority, and erodes respect for the rule of law at a time when clarity and cooperation are essential.”
In a press release, Gillette called on officials in Pima County to prioritize full cooperation with DHS and ICE, rather than engaging in obstruction, delays, or politicalization of federal efforts. He urged the following actions to ensure the protection of Arizona communities:
- Complete cooperation between Pima County and federal law enforcement.
- Effective operational coordination with DHS and ICE.
- Termination of political attacks that disrupt lawful enforcement activities.
“DHS and ICE are doing the job the American people expect—removing violent criminals and drug traffickers from our communities,” Representative Gillette added. “Arizona does not need political grandstanding that shields offenders and targets law enforcement. The public wants dangerous individuals removed, and they want their elected officials supporting—not sabotaging—the mission. This issue is not ideological. It is about public safety, the rule of law, and standing with the men and women charged with protecting our communities and our country.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Dec 20, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Congressman Eli Crane (R-AZ-02) introduced legislation Thursday requiring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to deliver annual terrorism threat assessments on the hostile use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), citing the rapid spread of drone technology among foreign adversaries and terrorist organizations.
The bill, titled the Detecting and Evaluating Foreign Exploitation of Novel Drones (DEFEND) Act, would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to strengthen congressional oversight of emerging UAS threats, according to a release from Crane’s office.
Crane’s bill would require DHS to evaluate drone-related risks to the United States, submit a classified annual report to Congress with an unclassified public annex, and provide a briefing within seven days of each report’s submission. The legislation is co-sponsored by members of the House Homeland Security Committee, including several subcommittee chairs.
In a post to X announcing the legislation, Crane wrote, “America must maintain a decisive tactical advantage over our adversaries.”
According to a release from Crane’s office, the measure is intended to help close an intelligence gap around drone threats and give Congress clearer insight into vulnerabilities in U.S. airspace.
Arizona has growing strategic exposure to unmanned aircraft system threats, given ongoing cartel drone activity along the state’s southern border; the presence of key military installations involved in UAS development and counter-UAS training, including Fort Huachuca, Yuma Proving Ground, Davis–Monthan Air Force Base, and Luke Air Force Base; and the state’s expanding commercial drone testing sector. Federal assessments in recent years have also warned that drones pose increasing risks to critical infrastructure sites, including energy, water, and transportation systems across the United States.
In the release announcing the legislation, Crane said Congress must act to close intelligence blind spots and “maintain tactical advantage over malign actors” seeking to exploit UAS capabilities, citing drone use in recent conflicts overseas.
“The DEFEND Act ensures Congress has the knowledge necessary to effectively allocate resources to defend our homeland. I encourage my colleagues to back this approach to close this intelligence blind spot,” he added.
Per congressional procedure, the bill will be referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security, where co-sponsors sit in leadership positions across the Committee’s oversight and cybersecurity panels.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Ethan Faverino | Dec 13, 2025 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), has achieved unprecedented border security milestones, with illegal border crossings reaching the lowest levels ever recorded at the start of a fiscal year.
Preliminary data for October and November 2025 show a continued historic decline in apprehensions and encounters, reflecting the effectiveness of President Trump’s policies and leadership.
Since President Trump took office on January 20, 2025, total enforcement encounters along the southwest border through the end of November stand at 117,105—37% below the monthly average of 185,625 recorded during the Biden administration.
U.S. Border Patrol apprehensions have averaged under 10,000 per month, described by DHS as “a level of deterrence unmatched in modern border history”.
Daily apprehensions along the southwest border now average just 245—fewer than 11 per hour—and a stunning 95% reduction from the Biden-era daily average of 5,110 (February 2021-December 2024). For comparison, December 2023 saw 336 illegal crossers apprehended every hour during the height of the prior administration’s border crisis—more than today’s entire daily total.
In October 2025, nationwide Border Patrol encounters and apprehensions totaled 30,573, distinctively down from 142,742 in October 2024, 309,605 in October 2023, and 278,317 in October 2022.
Preliminary data for November 2025 show 30,367 encounters, slightly lower than October’s record low. Combined, October and November recorded just 60,940 encounters—the lowest two-month start to any fiscal year on record and 28% below the previous low of 84,293 set in FY2012.
“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,” said Secretary Kristi Noem. “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and the dedication of DHS law enforcement, America’s borders are safer than ever before.”
Every individual apprehended is processed for removal in accordance with the law, reversing Biden-era policies that pulled agents from the field to facilitate mass releases, leaving hundreds of miles of border unpatrolled for extended periods.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Dec 9, 2025 | News
By Staff Reporter |
Rep. Adelita Grijalva claimed ICE agents pepper sprayed her; the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) debunked her version of events.
Instead, DHS says Grijalva joined the mob attempting to obstruct an immigration raid on a Tucson taco restaurant chain.
In a video posted on Friday to X, Grijalva said ICE had just “pushed aside and pepper sprayed” her after she allegedly attempted to intervene with their raid by presenting herself as an elected official.
Grijalva didn’t show any signs of physical distress typical of a pepper spray recipient until well over a minute after the video started, when she gave one single cough after mentioning the pepper spray incident following her story about the raid.
“[I] was sprayed in the face by a very aggressive agent, pushed around by others, when I literally was not being aggressive, I was asking for clarification, which is my right as a member of Congress,” said Grijalva. “Everybody that was with me, my staff member, myself, two staff members, we have like remnants of whatever they sprayed on us.”
Pepper spray usually results in a severe burning sensation in the eyes, skin, and throat, and may temporarily blind and restrict breathing. These symptoms manifest as red, swollen, closed, teary eyes; gasping and coughing; red and itchy skin; and possibly a runny nose and dizziness. Apart from the single cough, Grijalva didn’t exhibit any of those symptoms.
These effects last an hour at least, with some residuals lasting up to 24 hours.
In her video, Grijalva described those unlawfully intervening with immigration enforcement as “protecting their people.” Grijalva complained law enforcement were “rude and disrespectful” when she tried to exert some control over the situation.
Tricia McLaughlin, DHS assistant secretary, said Grijalva’s physical wellness following the altercation would be “a medical marvel,” and served as further proof that she wasn’t targeted by ICE agents.
“She wasn’t pepper sprayed. She was in the vicinity of someone who *was* pepper sprayed as they were obstructing and assaulting law enforcement,” said McLaughlin. “In fact, two law enforcement officers were seriously injured by this mob that [Grijalva] joined. Presenting one’s self as a ‘Member of Congress’ doesn’t give you the right to obstruct law enforcement.”
A video of Grijalva posted of the moment she claimed ICE agents attacked her shows Grijalva repeatedly approaching ICE agents in an attempt to intervene with their arrests of illegal immigrants.
Grijalva posted a snippet of the video showing a gas canister hitting near her feet as she approached ICE agents.
Other videos of Grijalva showed her telling ICE agents to release a rioter being detained for intervening with immigration enforcement.
On Monday, Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller announced a partnership with ICE in a press briefing. Miller said sanctuary cities and the progressive politicians who create and support them were to blame for the harboring of criminal illegal immigrants, specifically calling out Reps. Grijalva and Yassamin Ansari. Miller compared Grijalva to Jussie Smollett, the actor who falsely claimed Trump supporters perpetrated a hate crime against him in 2019.
“Politicans like Representatives Grijalva and Ansari have made people believe that they are safe in those cities. I’m here to let you know they’re not. There are no sanctuary cities in Arizona,” said Miller.
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