The Biden administration is bracing for a possible increase in border crossings following Donald Trump's victory in the presidential election, with many migrants expected to try to enter the United States before Trump's new immigration policies take effect.

According to information from NBC News, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas met with his top aides and the heads of Customs and Border Protection (ICE) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in which participants raised concerns about containment strategies in the event of an increase in migrants at the border after Trump's victory. Among the questions raised by the group, according to the report, were how the Department of Homeland Security was operationally prepared to handle a potential spike in immigration, whether there was enough room in ICE detention to hold immigrants before deporting them, and whether agencies would be able to continue putting migrants who do not qualify for asylum on a fast track to removal or the numbers would overwhelm the system and force agents to release migrants to the U.S. with trial dates set for years later.

Officials said there had been no significant increase in the flow of migrants to the U.S. so far but warned of the possibility of an imminent spike. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) highlighted the need for CBP and ICE to be prepared to manage a sudden surge. According to NBC News, a spokesperson for Customs and Border Protection stressed that migrants should not trust false promises made by smugglers.

Among migrants, according to reported access to the publication, conversations in WhatsApp groups reveal a sense of urgency, driven by information that Trump will further tighten immigration policies.

Statements such as "the time to come is now" reflect the fear that borders will be closed, and deportations will increase immediately after Trump's inauguration.

On the other hand, smugglers, known as “coyotes”, are using Trump's election as an opportunity to persuade migrants to try to cross the border as quickly as possible. Faced with a scenario of uncertainty, they take advantage of the fear of these migrants to increase the demand for their services.

The Biden administration predicts that crossing numbers may increase before Trump’s inauguration, as an attempt to preempt stricter policies. Local authorities and shelter operators are preparing to accommodate the expected increase, within their capabilities.