Analysis
What the official said
“Thanks to these heroes and the strong leadership of President Donald J. Trump, we have the MOST SECURE border in history, 15 straight months of ZERO illegal aliens released into our nation, and HISTORICALLY low illegal crossings.”
Claimant: Markwayne Mullin Secretary of Homeland Security
Agency or office: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Context
Statement from DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin during a DHS press release announcing his visit to the southern border in Brownsville, Texas; the quote asserts sustained zero releases and characterizes the border as the most secure in history.
Evidence
The quoted claim asserts a concrete, time-bound statistic (15 months of zero releases). Verifying it requires defining 'released' (e.g., released from CBP custody, parole, cites of credible fear, Title 8/Title 42 policy distinctions) and comparing with agency operational data (CBP encounter/release statistics, ICE custody/release records, DHS operational reports). The DHS press release includes the assertion but does not provide underlying data or cite a source. Because 'released' can have multiple operational meanings and because public CBP/ICE statistics and prior public statements from DHS/CBP have shown periods with releases or paroles, this is a consequential and disputable factual claim that merits publication and independent verification.