In a memorandum on Friday, Department of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas announced the end of a Trump-era immigration program, the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPPs) – also known as “Remain in Mexico.” “.
The policy forced those seeking asylum at the border to stay in Mexico while their claims were processed, which left people waiting along the border in dangerous conditions.
“It has left thousands destitute and led to thousands more being victims of kidnappings and violence in Mexico,” said Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, policy advisor for the American Immigration Council.
In the memo, Mayorkas said the program does not address the root causes of illegal immigration and does not provide humanitarian protection.
This is not the Biden administration’s first attempt to cancel the program. In June, Mayorkas issued a memo ending the MPP, but a Texas District Court granted an injunction on the administration’s decision and ordered the administration to reinstate the policy because it did not properly justify ending it. The Supreme Court later confirmed this decision.
The new termination cannot take effect until a judge lifts the injunction.
“This new memorandum details all the problems caused by the MPP, from the extraordinary violence that migrants face under the program, to internal government difficulties in implementing a program that has forced tens of thousands of people to return to court through ports of entry every month,” Reichlin-Melnick said.
Although the Biden administration has appealed the judge’s ruling, it is still complying with court orders by brokering a deal with Mexico to handle the influx of migrants.
Former President Donald Trump signed into law the Anti-Illegal Immigration Agenda. In the DHS memo, Mayorkas acknowledges that “the MPP likely helped reduce migration flows,” but did so at great humanitarian cost.
Rather than reinstating the program, the Biden administration says it is reforming immigration policies to streamline the process and address the reasons people leave their home countries.
“If our country stands for anything, it’s that people should have a fair day in court and the MPP took away that right,” Reichlin-Melnick said.
This story originally appeared on Texas Public Radio. TPR was founded and is supported by the community. If you appreciate his commitment to the highest standards of responsible journalism and are in a position to do so, please consider making your support gift today.
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