Large groups of migrants apprehended at US-Mexico border in recent days

Hundreds of migrants are in custody after being caught by U.S. border agents. This comes as the Biden administration prepares for an even bigger surge of border crossings ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.

The chief patrol agent for the Tucson area posted a photo Monday, Nov. 18, of the more than 230 migrants that agents encountered crossing the border near San Miguel, Arizona.

Three Points Station agents encountered a group of 232 migrants from 7 different countries who illegally crossed the border near San Miguel, AZ.

The group included single adults, family units, and unaccompanied children. The group was safely transported for processing. pic.twitter.com/PQ2jWIcaoP

— Chief Patrol Agent – Tucson Sector (@USBPChiefTCA) November 18, 2024

On Sunday, Nov. 17, the Texas Department of Public Safety caught a group of more than 150 migrants in Eagle Pass, Texas. Caravans of migrants have been making their way to the U.S. ahead of Trump taking office.

Overall, numbers have been dropping sharply at the border since June following President Biden signing a proclamation drastically limiting the number of arrivals who can come into the U.S.

The U.S. Border Patrol documented around 54,000 encounters in September, which was the lowest number since August 2020.

Shortly after the election, NBC news reported Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas held a meeting with the heads of Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to discuss concerns about what Trump’s victory would do to border security and how they would deal with a potential spike in immigration.

Trump has criticized the Biden-Harris administration for not doing enough on the issue of immigration

He confirmed Monday, Nov. 18 that he is preparing to declare a national emergency when he takes office, which would allow the use of military assets to conduct a mass deportation program.