A number of large groups of illegal immigrants have been caught at the southern border in recent days as the number of migrant encounters remains lower than in previous months, but fears remain of a border surge before the Trump administration takes office.

On Sunday, the Texas Department of Public Safety encountered a group of 154 illegal immigrants in Eagle Pass, Texas. The group included six special interest immigrants from Afghanistan and 20 unaccompanied minors.

They were turned over to the Border Patrol, Texas authorities said.

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This photo shows southern border migrants found in Arizona. (Chief Patrol Agent Sean McGoffin- Tucson Precinct)

In Arizona, the Border Patrol encountered a group of more than 230 illegal immigrants nearby San Miguel, Arizona. Border police said on Monday that the group had been “safely transported for processing”.

Numbers have dropped sharply at the border since June, when President Biden signed a presidential proclamation sharply limiting the number of arrivals that can come to the US.

There were 101,790 border encounters in September, the lowest number since February 2021, and there have been no major signs of a significant increase in numbers since then.

However, while the numbers remain lower than in previous months, there have been concerns that the change in administrations could lead to a surge at the border as migrants try to enter the US before a perceived tougher administration steps in. function. Large groups, coordinated by cartels, may be a sign that this activity is starting to heat up.

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Then-President Trump visits the US-Mexico border fence in Otay Mesa, California on September 18, 2019. (NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images)

The Biden administration held a meeting where officials expressed concern about what a the victory of former President Donald Trump can mean for border.

According to the NBC News report, officials have questioned whether the government is prepared for a possible increase in immigration as immigrants prepare to enter the country at the last minute.

Migrants would be unlikely to be motivated by the prospect of a Trump administration when there have been promises of historic deportations and a crackdown on sanctuary cities, but would instead be motivated by an effort to take advantage of what could be greater security. border easier than what they think. will be in effect under the Republican administration.

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The Trump administration has pledged to beef up border security and launch a mass deportation operation when it takes office in January. He also pledged to end the Biden administration’s use of parole programs that allow migrants to enter through expanded “legal pathways.”

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The administration already plans to expand immigration detention to facilitate the operation, including the establishment of centers near major metropolitan areas.