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President Joe Biden on Tuesday urged migrants not to make the journey to the U.S. as his administration struggles to get a handle on a surge at the southern border, The Hill reported. 

"I can say quite clearly don't come over," Biden told George Stephanopoulos of ABC News in an interview scheduled to air Wednesday morning. "Don't leave your town or city or community."

Biden conceded the surge "could be" worse than the one that prompted a significant crackdown from the Trump administration and threats to close the border in 2019 but said it was not there yet.

Biden echoed what other administration officials have said in recent weeks as the situation worsens, saying his team needs time to get the system set up to process such large numbers of migrants.

The president pushed back on arguments that migrants are crossing in large numbers because Biden has eased several Trump-era policies meant to curb immigration.

"The idea that Joe Biden said, 'Come' — because I heard the other day that they're coming because they know I'm a nice guy. Here's the deal: They're not," Biden said.

The president's comments are his most extensive to date as his administration grapples with a burgeoning crisis along the border.

CBS Evening News reported on Tuesday night that more than 13,000 young migrants are being held in U.S. custody for an average of 120 hours. Legal requirements set the limit at 72 hours.