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Illegal immigration at the southern border is currently declining, but concerns are rising about a potential spike before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. In November, federal authorities reported about 46,000 arrests between ports of entry, marking a 76 percent decrease compared to the previous year. However, Lieutenant Chris Olivarez from the Texas Department of Public Safety warned of reports that cartels are constructing sophisticated border tunnels with railways and elevators.
Governor Greg Abbott has been proactive in addressing border security through Operation Lone Star, which has significantly reduced illegal border crossings by 87 percent since its inception. Abbott's efforts include deploying Texas National Guard soldiers and Department of Public Safety troopers, building border barriers, and adding more miles of border wall. Abbott emphasized Texas' commitment to securing the border and expressed readiness to work with the incoming Trump administration to enhance border security.
The Texas Tribune reported that Texas is well-positioned to support Trump's ambitious anti-immigration agenda, which includes mass deportations and reviving previous border policies. The state is home to approximately 1.6 million undocumented individuals, the second-highest in the country after California.
Despite the decline in illegal crossings, WOLA noted that increased activity is occurring in southern Mexico, where migrants are gathering in larger numbers. This has been dubbed the "Trump effect," as migrants aim to reach the U.S. before Trump's inauguration. Mexican authorities have reported a rise in migrant flows from Guatemala, with activists citing an increase from 300 to between 800 and 1,200 daily crossings.