In reaction to an injunction supported by the Supreme Court, the DHS said it is going to re-instate the Trump term “Remain in Mexico” ruling. This will happen by mid-November, while it tries to dismantle the program through a different path.
The Courts Have Spoken
In response to allegations from Texas (as well as Missouri) that the government’s attempt to discontinue the program was illegal and damaging, a federal judge ordered the Biden government to “enforce and administer” the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP). The verdict was upheld by the Supreme Court.
The Trump administration introduced and extended MPP in 2019; MPP involves returning immigrants to Mexico instead of releasing them in the United States while their immigration cases are being resolved.
Even as migrant numbers soared, the Biden government started dismantling MPP earlier this year; it was even formally abolished in June before a court ruling prompted a reversal.
The policy was initiated in 2019 as part of former President Donald Trump’s crackdown on the nation’s border control policies.https://t.co/soPRKYTNCH
— 7 Eyewitness News (@WKBW) October 15, 2021
Supporters praised the program for screening out fake or inadequate asylum claims (without allowing people to come into this country) and for helping stop the “catch and release” system.
Conservatives and border authorities asked the Biden government to re-implement the program during the ongoing immigration crisis. This crisis has seen thousands or even millions of migrants cross the border in recent years, with countless people being allowed into the United States.
However, critics said the method was barbaric. They claimed it left migrants vulnerable to assault and abuse from traffickers and other criminals on the Mexican side of the border, where people collected in makeshift camps.
The Biden government said it made “significant progress” on re-implementing MPP in a document on Thursday, even as they admitted to looking for other methods to end the program.
Trump is Inevitable
A lifetime movie TORN FROM HER ARMS, 10/30. A mother and daughter crossing our border. You know it's all going to be Trump's fault put on by the Democrats. Biden has forgotten about the Border and there is no more border control there.
— HERE to Learn (@AlwaysL47476529) October 15, 2021
According to the petition, it has held negotiations with Mexico, established operating plans, and issued a work order for $14.1 million to rebuild the soft-sided facilities (also known as “court tents”) in Laredo and Brownsville, Texas.
This comes with an estimated monthly operating expense of $10.5 million. As a consequence of this effort, DHS should be able to re apply the MPP by mid-November, subject to Mexican decisions.
Missouri, together with Texas, sued the Department of Homeland Security over the termination of MPP, accused the government of “slow-walking” compliance with the decision.
“We sued the Biden government in April over their termination of the ‘Remain in Mexico’ strategy; we managed to win with a district judge, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as the United States Supreme Court, forcing the Biden government to re-enable the strategy,” Missouri state Attorney Eric Schmitt said in a declaration.
“Despite the fact various courts have ordered the Biden government to re-enable the policy, they have consistently delayed doing so.”
