Will Arizona see a surge of migrants crossing the border this holiday season?

PHOENIX — Keeping quiet about politics around the dinner table this Thanksgiving may be good for keeping the peace, but nothing can stop the forward march of political news.

That’s especially true for Arizonans concerned about border issues.

Speaking of marching, around 1,500 migrants in southern Mexico started traveling northward last Wednesday so they can enter the country as soon as possible, according to the Associated Press.

They want to slip onto U.S. soil before Republican President-elect Donald Trump, who’s touted his desire to crack down on immigration, takes office on Jan. 20, the Associated Press reported.

However, Arizonans shouldn’t be too worried about an influx of illegal immigration this holiday season, according to Brandon Judd, the former president of the National Border Patrol Council.

“They never cross the border in full strength,” Judd told told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Tuesday. “The cartels will disband the caravan and start moving people to different locations.”

It’s not like hundreds of people will be flooding into Arizona in one enormous group, he added.

“I don’t expect to see that because that would create the air of Trump against the current president of Mexico,” Judd said. “We’re already seeing a drop right now.”

Donald Trump’s Mexico tariff comments highlight border issues

Judd also responded to comments Trump made on Monday. The future 47th president threatened to hit Mexico and Canada with a new 25% tax on products entering the U.S. from either country.

Trump’s comments on Truth Social accused the two countries of not doing enough to stop the flow of dangerous drugs into the country. He said they have the power to do a lot more — and Judd agreed.

“They can do an awful lot. They can do a lot more than what they’re currently doing,” Judd said. “They can’t stop all of it, but the vast majority of what we’re seeing right now? Yes, they do have the ability to stop it.”

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