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Acceso Latino

Biden's administration ends program that forced US asylum seekers to stay in Mexico

This program, established by the previous administration, forced asylum seekers in the United States to remain in Mexico until their situation was resolved in the Immigration Court.

The Joe Biden government ended the"Remain in Mexico"program established during the last administration, which forced thousands of asylum seekers generally from Central America to remain in Mexico while their immigration status was resolved in the United States.

Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), explained the following in a memorandum: “I have determined that the MPP (Migrant Protection Protocols) does not adequately or sustainably improve border management in a way that justifies the great operational load of the program and other shortcomings. Throughout the program, border encounters increased during certain periods and decreased during others ”.

"Furthermore, in making my assessment, I share the belief that we can only manage migration effectively, responsibly and lastingly if we address the issue globally, looking beyond our own borders," he added. In this way, asylum seekers will now be able to continue their asylum process from the United States.

However, prior to its cancellation, the MPP was evaluated and reviewed by experts, from the beginning of the new administration. On February 2 of this year, President Biden issued an executive order for the creation of a comprehensive regional framework that addresses the causes of migration and that also seeks to manage migration in North and Central America, and thus provide security and order in the asylum seekers process.

Since the implementation of the MPP in January 2019, about 68,000 asylum seekers had to remain on the borders of Mexico with the United States, which made it difficult for them to access stable housing, a fixed income and, above all, security.

You can read the full memorandum from DHS and its secretary at the following link: https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/21_0601_termination_of_mpp_program.pdf