Southern U.S. border apprehensions sharply declined in January, according to preliminary statistics published by CNN on Thursday.



The initial Customs and Border Protection numbers reportedly show that total apprehensions decreased by 27 percent compared to the previous year.



The agency also registered a 42 percent decline in family unit apprehensions and a 39 percent decrease in apprehensions of unaccompanied minors.

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CNN noted that the drop in apprehensions is consistent with annual trends and that a similar 36 percent decrease was also registered in January of last year.

The data only shows illegal aliens who have been arrested and does not include those who have been turned away at the border due to a lack of proper documentation.