U.S. Border Patrol agents in Maine apprehended 725 people in fiscal 2025 who were suspected of being in the country illegally, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

That number exceeds the previous record of 685 apprehensions in 2001 by agents of Houlton Sector Maine, which encompasses the entire state and its 611-mile border with Canada.

The people arrested from Oct. 1, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2025, came from 46 countries, according to an email statement from the federal agency.

Despite the increase in apprehensions, sector officials emphasized that border security remains strong. Sector headquarters are in Hodgdon, with stations in Calais, Houlton, Fort Fairfield, Van Buren, Jackman and Rangeley.

“The sector has reported an 80% decrease in illegal crossings along the United States-Canada border in Maine and has had no known ‘got-aways’ since January,” the statement said. “This success highlights the dedication of Border Patrol agents and the agency’s effectiveness in securing the nation’s borders.”

“Got-away” is a term border agents use for an unlawful border crosser who is seen entering the country but is not apprehended.

Border agents worked with local, state, federal and international partners, sharing intelligence that helped Houlton Sector arrest criminals who faced prosecution, said Chief Patrol Agent Derrick Stamper.

The statement didn’t provide details of what happened to the 725 people apprehended, including how many were prosecuted or what crimes were committed.

The 725 person total did not include arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).