There has been a significant increase in the number of migrant families with children crossing the southern border of the United States over the past two months. Customs and Border Protection data obtained by NBC News shows that more than 2,230 migrants were crossing the border daily, on average, compared with 790 in early June. While single adults are still the largest demographic group seen at the border, families are the fastest-growing group among those crossing without papers.

Most of the migrants are from northern Central America and Mexico. The surge in the number of families has raised concern among some senior government officials, who fear the numbers could skyrocket soon, pushing migrant crossings to record levels.

Migrant groups point out that more families are crossing the border to escape poverty and violence in their home countries, as well as cartels and the extreme heat in Mexico, according to NBC. Since the Covid restrictions known as Title 42 were lifted in May, the total number of migrants crossing the border without documents or appointments for asylum hearings has decreased compared to May.

However, the recent increase in the number of households may reverse this decline. If current trends continue, it is estimated that more than 160,000 migrants could cross the border without documents or commitments in the next month.

Conservative critics say migrants have incentives to take children with them on their journey to the United States because they are more likely to be released to pursue asylum claims. While single adults are detained under the current Biden’s administration policy, migrants who cross the border as part of families with children under the age of 18 are not placed in immigration detention.

The administration is not considering the detention of migrant families, opting instead for a new program in which newly arrived families in four U.S. cities are put on curfew and heads of households must wear ankle monitors until the dates of immigration hearings.

Immigrant advocates and organizations argue that families are seeking to flee the harsh conditions in their home countries and the long waiting period for asylum hearings. In addition, the lifting of Title 42 restrictions allowed more families to seek to cross the border with children. While this situation has raised concerns, the U.S. government is evaluating policy options to address the increase in migrant crossings and its implications.