29 OCT 2021

The Biden Administration Issues Memo and Files Court Motion to Terminate the Cruel, Trump-Era ‘Remain in Mexico’ Policy, Immigration Hub Responds

Washington, DC — In a memorandum released today, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Secretary Mayorkas announced the termination of the Trump-era Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), otherwise known as ‘Remain in Mexico’. Concurrently, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a motion to vacate related litigation in the 5th Circuit that has been a roadblock to ending the program.

This is the administration’s second effort to terminate MPP.  In August, a District Court in Texas ordered a nationwide and permanent injunction on the administration’s first memorandum to end MPP. The administration appealed that decision to the 5th Circuit, and with today’s filing is seeking to vacate the District Court’s findings and injunction as moot and to remand the 5th Circuit case to the District Court for further proceedings.

We welcome the administration’s proactive approach to doing away with another cruel Trump policy. MPP forced tens of thousands of migrants and refugees to wait in dangerous Mexican border regions for the adjudication of their asylum claims. While waiting, more than 7000 of them suffered kidnappings, assaults, robberies, and other violence. 

Below is a statement from Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub:  

“The Biden administration’s termination of MPP is an important step toward mending an asylum system that the Trump administration worked for four years to systematically dismantle.  As Secretary Mayorkas concluded in his explanation of the termination, MPP cannot be implemented in a way that is safe or consistent with American values. 

“MPP illegally shifted responsibility for the protection of asylum seekers to Mexico, resulting in dangerous conditions for vulnerable migrants. Families, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and survivors of torture were among those exposed to violence after arriving at our border to apply legally for asylum, a fundamental human right. Terminating this heinous policy, once and for all, will allow us to move forward with solutions that can address migration humanely and fairly, with a global perspective and an eye towards building a foundation for an improved infrastructure to manage the border and the processing of those seeking asylum and refuge.  

“We welcome Secretary Mayorkas’ memo today, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to an aspiring vision for our immigration system despite the challenges created by a partisan and extremist judge and the previous administration. No one said it would be easy, but each step forward will have a meaningful impact for years to come."

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The Immigration Hub is a national organization dedicated to advancing fair and just immigration policies through strategic leadership, innovative communications strategies, legislative advocacy and collaborative partnerships.