As President Biden’s term draws to a close, the southern border is bracing for a potential last-minute surge of illegal immigration. Human smugglers are reportedly urging migrants to rush into the United States before President-elect Trump takes office and implements his tough immigration policies.
According to the Wall Street Journal, smugglers are telling migrants across Latin America to “make a run for it” before Trump’s inauguration. San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond, who represents a district by the California-Mexico border, expressed concern about the potential for a surge, stating, “With the Trump Administration signaling that it will prioritize stricter immigration enforcement, many individuals seeking to enter the U.S. illegally are likely to try to do so before those policies are enacted.”
Meanwhile, in Mexico, WhatsApp groups are reportedly being used to coordinate migrant caravans in response to Trump’s election victory. Luis Villagrán, a Mexican migrant advocate, told the WSJ that “messages spreading fear” began to circulate as soon as Trump’s victory became clear. A Customs and Border Protection spokesperson urged migrants not to believe the lies spread by smugglers, reminding them that the U.S. will continue to enforce immigration law.
The Biden-Harris administration’s immigration policies have already led to a historic flow of illegal immigration across the southern border. In fact, fiscal year 2024 saw the second-highest number of illegal border crossings in U.S. history, with over 8.5 million migrant encounters.
In contrast, President Trump has been vocal about his tough stance on immigration. He has promised to continue building the border wall, revive the Remain in Mexico program, increase the number of border patrol agents, and implement the “largest deportation program in American history.” He has also pledged to end birthright citizenship for children born to illegal migrants on U.S. soil.
The incoming administration’s picks for top immigration enforcement roles, including Tom Homan, Stephen Miller, and Gov. Kristi Noem, further indicate a continuation of this hardline agenda.
Meanwhile, south of the border, migrants are reportedly changing their plans and joining northbound caravans to the U.S. instead of waiting for an asylum appointment. Alfonso Meléndez, a Venezuelan national, explained, “I’m very worried that they will throw us out when Trump takes office.”
This is a remarkable exchange between sentient plank AOC and the very competent Tom Homan over the border crisis. pic.twitter.com/Tn9qnA46Q3
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) November 11, 2024
As President Biden’s term winds down, the situation at the southern border is tense. With Trump’s tough immigration policies set to make a comeback, some migrants are rushing to enter the country while they still can. The question remains: will Biden’s reversal of Trump’s policies lead to another influx of illegal immigration? Only time will tell.