Egypt has urged citizens seeking entry into the United States to abide by legal entry procedures, a statement by the foreign ministry read on Sunday.

The foreign ministry asked citizens to abstain from illegal migration means into the US through Mexico or Central America given the dangers that they could face.

“Citizens will be in risk of prosecution and arrests by security authorities,” it added.

The statement comes days after the US said that this week saw the highest surge of migrants - in 20 years - at its southwestern border, according to statements by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

He said attempted border crossings from people arriving from Central America and Mexico have witnessed a rise since April 2020.

The US Customs and Border Protection said, earlier this month, that its agents carried out over 100,000 apprehensions and expulsions of individuals seeking to reach the US through the crossing with Mexico in February.