Migrant Surge Begins

As Election Day nears, a caravan of 2,000 migrants heads for the U.S. border, fearing a Trump victory could shut them out.

As Election Day approaches, a caravan of about 2,000 migrants is making its way to the U.S.-Mexico border, potentially signaling a surge of attempted crossings if former President Donald Trump wins the election against Vice President Kamala Harris next week. Lora Ries, director of the Border Security and Immigration Center at the Heritage Foundation, warns that this group could be the start of a much larger wave as uncertainty grows over U.S. border policy.

"I think whatever deal we struck with the government of Mexico to slow the flow leading up to the election to make the numbers look better for Harris’ campaign ends the day after the election," Ries told Fox News Digital, referring to the Biden administration’s arrangement with Mexico earlier this year that allowed a temporary halt on crossings. This executive action, taken to help manage record numbers of migrants at the border, could see dramatic changes if Trump’s strict immigration platform leads to renewed enforcement.

Many migrants heading toward the U.S. have voiced concerns about what the election result will mean for their prospects. “Whoever wins should not close the doors to us, they should give us the support we need, because we are all really going through a bad time," one migrant told the Associated Press.

Ries believes the flow will intensify if Trump defeats Harris, with many migrants rushing to enter the U.S. before a potential policy change. "We saw this for Trump’s first term, when numbers of people tried to get in before he came into office," Ries said, anticipating a “jump in numbers” if Trump returns to the White House.

Immigration has been a significant topic in the final days of the campaign, with Republicans frequently highlighting Vice President Harris’ record on border issues, particularly her 2021 role as “border czar.” Harris has faced criticism for overseeing an era of record-high illegal crossings but has promised stricter enforcement measures if elected, recently telling Arizona voters, “Those who cross our borders unlawfully will be apprehended and removed and barred from re-entering for five years.”

Meanwhile, Trump has continued to make border security a priority in his campaign, pledging to carry out the "largest mass deportation in the history of our country" if elected.