Claims of rising migration at border following Democrat victories in Texas

Following a major victory for Democrats in the Texas midterms, MAGA supporter Steve Bannon has claimed that a flood of migrants is moving towards the southern border. Bannon and his podcast guest Todd Bensman made this prediction after Democrat James Taraliakos won a Senate seat and Gina Hinojosa was elected as the first Latina governor.

During his 'War Room' show on Wednesday, Bannon told immigration expert Todd Bensman, 'Their convoys are already coming. Everyone in Central America is excited that the doors are opening again.' When The Independent sought evidence for this claim, Bannon cited news reports regarding convoys of people from Honduras.

According to a report by the Costa Rica-based newspaper The Tico Times, dozens of people left Honduras for the US on Tuesday in the hope that the midterm elections would weaken Trump's strict immigration rules. Himena Morazan, aged 47, who is part of this journey, said, 'Trump is exiting in these elections, that is why we are taking this risk. We have nothing left here in Honduras.'

As reported by Latin Times, this convoy that left on Tuesday was the third large organized movement from San Pedro Sula since the beginning of the Pan Autumn. Immigration expert Todd Bensman warned, 'The border is quiet, but it is not dead. Many people are still crossing the border.' However, President Donald Trump himself has stated that the border is secure under his administration, which will continue for another two years.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection reports that approximately 1,40,000 encounters/encounters were recorded in the 2026 fiscal year. However, the agency has also celebrated a streak of zero releases at the border for 16 consecutive months, meaning migrants are not being allowed entry into the US.

Elected Democrats Hinojosa and Taraliakos have both taken oaths to secure the border, but have also opposed the aggressive methods adopted by Trump and Republican Governor Greg Abbott to stop immigration. In a January press release, Hinojosa said that as governor, she would not allow Texas to be used for operations that intimidate families and enrich donors.

Taraliakos suggested on his campaign website, 'Our border should be like a porch — with a welcome mat in front and a lock on the door.' He further added that we should deport gang members, not small business owners; and catch human traffickers, not mothers and children.

Bannon used Taraliakos's 'welcome mat' metaphor to mock the Democrats. He told The Independent, 'Invaders know that when Democrats take control, the welcome mat is out.'

Todd Bensman suggested that if Texas Democrats fail to secure the border, Trump should use the National Guard. He said there are approximately 4,000 Texas National Guard members, whom the Trump administration might have to nationalize or replace with the regular army, who could perform critical duties such as assisting border patrol and making arrests.

During his second term, Trump used the National Guard to address anti-immigration agenda protests in Los Angeles and to reduce crime in Washington, D.C., which faced harsh criticism.