Biden admin prepares for potential surge in migrants before Trump takes office

[Lauren Taylor]

THE BIDEN-ADMINISTRATION IS PREPARING FOR A POSSIBLE SURGE IN MIGRANTS CROSSING THE US-MEXICO BORDER BEFORE PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP TAKES OFFICE IN JANUARY.

ON MONDAY, THE DAY BEFORE VOTERS FLOCKED TO THE POLLS, OFFICIALS WITH THE US HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT AND US CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION HELD A VIRTUAL MEETING TO DISCUSS HOW A TRUMP PRESIDENCY COULD AFFECT BORDER SECURITY, NBC NEWS REPORTS.

THE OFFICIALS TALKED ABOUT CONTINGENCY PLANS IF THERE’S A MIGRATION SURGE – INCLUDING IF THERE’S ENOUGH BEDS TO HOUSE MORE MIGRANTS AND IF THE MIGRANTS DON’T QUALIFY FOR ASYLUM, WHAT WOULD THEIR REMOVAL LOOK LIKE?

“THE FACT REMAINS: THE UNITED STATES CONTINUES TO ENFORCE IMMIGRATION LAW, AND MIGRANTS SHOULD USE SAFE, LAWFUL, AND ORDERLY PATHWAYS TO COME TO THE UNITED STATES,” A CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION SPOKESPERSON SAID.

IMMIGRANTS ARE BEING TOLD BY SMUGGLERS ON WHATTS APP THAT THE TIME TO GET TO THE US-SOUTHERN BORDER IS NOW, AS TRUMP PLANS TO SHUT DOWN THE BORDER WHEN HE TAKES OFFICE, NBC REPORTS.

ONE MIGRANT SHELTER OFFICIAL SAID THE MIGRANTS IN THEIR FACILITY WERE WORRIED BEFORE THE ELECTION, AS THEY WERE UNSURE OF WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THEIR CBP-ONE APP – THE APP CREATED BY THE BIDEN-ADMINISTRATION THAT ALLOWS MIGRANTS TO APPLY FOR ASYLUM BEFORE ENTERING THE U-S.

MEANWHILE, STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS REPORTED WEDNESDAY, JUST HOURS AFTER TRUMP’S ELECTION VICTORY, THAT A MIGRANT CARAVAN OF ABOUT 3,000 MIGRANTS WAS HEADING TO THE UNITED STATES FROM SOUTHERN MEXICO.

THAT CARAVAN HAS SINCE DWINDLED BY NEARLY HALF, AS TRUMP’S VICTORY HAS CREATED UNCERTAINTY AMONG THOSE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE THE TREK, ACCORDING TO REUTERS.

PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP HAS VOWED TO SHUT DOWN THE BORDER DEPORT MIGRANTS IN MASS NUMBERS WHEN HE TAKES OFFICE.