A caravan of about 2,000 migrants was spotted heading toward the U.S.-Mexico border over the weekend, right as the presidential election approaches. The timing couldn’t be more fitting, as both candidates are pledging stricter security at the southern border. Now, migrants are racing against the clock before any new policies kick in. And who can blame them? After all, a whopping 10 million illegal immigrants crossed into the U.S. during the Biden administration, making the border situation feel more like an open-door policy than a regulated entry point.

Vice President Kamala Harris recently chimed in, assuring everyone that folks caught sneaking into the country would be deported and barred from re-entry for a whole five years. Bold words, Kamala. But considering the numbers, it seems like quite a few people are willing to test that threat. CBS Austin share her statement, but only time will tell if this administration follows through.

The caravan isn’t just a random group of people. According to the Daily Wire, it’s made up of migrants escaping tough conditions in countries like Venezuela, Haiti, Honduras, and even parts of Africa. Desperation doesn’t care about borders. These people started their journey from Tapachula, a city on Mexico’s southern border with Guatemala, hoping that traveling through Mexico would eventually lead them to a better life in the U.S.

It’s not just hopes and dreams driving these people northward. Fear plays a big role, too. Many are concerned that a new administration might tighten the rules even further. For instance, some worry that the CBP One app—an immigration tool that allows migrants to schedule appointments—could be scrapped altogether. And without the app, getting an appointment at the border could become as impossible as getting a table at a five-star restaurant on Valentine’s Day.

Joel Zambrano, a Venezuelan migrant, spoke to the Associated Press about his worries, saying, “That is what makes us fearful. They say this could change because they could both close the CBP One appointment and all the services that are helping migrants.” And that’s really the crux of it—no one knows how immigration policy will shift, and with the election around the corner, anything could happen.

As if one caravan wasn’t enough, two other groups of migrants, one with 800 people and another with 600, have also decided to make the journey north this month. They seem to be operating under the philosophy of “the more, the merrier,” though no one’s exactly sure when any of these caravans will reach the U.S. border.

The recent rise in migrants at the border shows a common issue with managing spikes in numbers. Although the number of migrants has quadrupled, the number of border agents has not increased. This isn’t the only problem; the enormous backlog in the immigration courts has burdened many states. Migrants are unable to lawfully work and pay taxes, placing additional burdens on the states and taxpayers in general.

The 2024 presidential election looms, with no clear timeline and thousands of people on the move; it’s clear that the southern border issue won’t be resolved anytime soon. Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have opposing views on whether immigration is a blessing or a curse for the U.S. However, both agree on one thing: the southern border is a mess, and the U.S. asylum system is broken. Whether the next president decides to tighten regulations or maintain the current approach remains to be seen.

In the meantime, the caravans keep moving, and the U.S. border remains a hot topic. At the same time, politicians argue over the best course of action. The real question is whether anyone in power will come up with a solution that works for everyone—or if this issue will just keep snowballing, election after election.