Guatemalan official warns US of massive migrant caravans surging to border ahead of midterms

Guatemalan Interior Minister Napoleon Barrientos explained that the surge of migrants is due, in part, to fears that Republicans may take back control of Congress and push for tougher measures aimed at curbing illegal migration.

Speaking with the Daily Caller, Barrientos said that Guatemalan authorities "have information that caravans will be coming in the next few weeks, particularly before the date of November 8," adding that they are conducting operations within the country to "stop the flow migration."

He added that migrants are basing their decisions to make the trek on "information … that after [November 8], policies will be hardened."

Barrientos explained that while Guatemalan law enforcement has partnered with Mexico to target their shared border, there hasn't been much success stemming the flow from Honduras to the south, where migrants are heading north in droves.

The migrants' fears of a Republican-controlled Congress are not without warrant. New polling has shown the GOP ahead of Democrats by one point across the nation, and polls for many of the big races such as those in Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Georgia, indicate a shift to the right.

Polling by Reuters showed that Republicans are winning when it comes to issues such as crime and illegal migration, with more voters saying the GOP had a better chance of solving the problems compared to their Democratic rivals.

This could translate into tougher measures at the border post-election, therefore lowering the chances of getting in for those making the trek north.

According to the International Organization for Migration, Guatemala is "the gateway to one of the largest migration corridors in the world."

"Due to its geographical position and economic characteristics," their report stated, "it is a country of origin, transit, destination and return of migrants. Every day more than 300 migrants leave the country looking for opportunities in multiple directions. At the same time, some 200 are forcibly returned from the United States and Mexico each day."