Republics Are Pushing to IMMEDIATELY Reinstate “Remain In Mexico” Policy

Republicans are pushing to reinstate the Trump-era “Remain in Mexico” policy as immigration concerns mount, setting the stage for a potential shift in U.S. border control strategies.

At a Glance

  • GOP lawmakers aim to reintroduce the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) as federal law
  • The policy requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico during U.S. Immigration proceedings
  • Mexico faces pressure to accept deportees, including non-citizens
  • President-elect Trump has threatened tariffs if Mexico doesn’t comply with deportation demands
  • Migrants in Mexico express anxiety over potential policy changes

Republican Effort to Revive “Remain in Mexico”

As the president-elect prepares to return to the White House, Republican lawmakers are gearing up to reintroduce Trump-era immigration policies. At the forefront of this effort is legislation to reinstate the Migrant Protection Protocols, commonly known as the “Remain in Mexico” program, which was initially implemented in 2019. The program, dismantled by the Biden administration in 2021, required asylum seekers at the southern border to return to Mexico while awaiting their immigration proceedings.

The proposed bill aims to mandate that asylum seekers at the southern border return to Mexico during their immigration process. Republicans argue that the termination of this program by the Biden administration led to a surge in illegal immigration. By seeking to embed this approach into federal law, GOP legislators hope to prevent future reversals by subsequent administrations, underscoring their commitment to strict immigration enforcement.

Mexico’s Response and Concerns

Mexican authorities have pledged to welcome back citizens facing deportation from the U.S. under the Trump administration. President Claudia Sheinbaum plans to increase aid for deported Mexican citizens. However, concerns are rising over Mexico being pressured to accept deportees from other countries, especially those without U.S. diplomatic relations.

While Mexico is not legally obligated to accept non-citizens, it has previously relented under economic threats. President-elect Trump has threatened tariffs unless Mexico complies with his deportation demands. President Sheinbaum prefers that non-Mexicans be sent directly to their home countries but may work with the U.S. on some cases.

Experts anticipate that Trump may revive programs like Remain in Mexico and Title 42, which previously sent non-Mexican asylum seekers back to Mexico. These programs were ended by the Biden administration due to humanitarian concerns.

Well, that was their excuse. It was really just to spite Trump.

In the past, Mexico accepted non-Mexican deportees from Spanish-speaking countries and Haiti.

Mexico may negotiate terms for accepting third-country nationals, potentially with caps on numbers and nationalities. After Title 42 ended, Mexico agreed to accept up to 30,000 expelled migrants monthly from certain countries. These negotiations will likely be a key focus as the new administration takes shape.

Legislative Actions and Broader Implications

In addition to the efforts to reinstate the Remain in Mexico policy, Senator Marsha Blackburn has introduced a companion bill in the Senate, along with the CLEAR Act, to enhance immigration law enforcement. The CLEAR Act would require states and localities to provide information about apprehended immigrants to the Department of Homeland Security, further tightening the net on illegal immigration.

These legislative moves reflect a broader push by Republicans to address what they perceive as a crisis at the southern border. The proposed policies aim to deter illegal immigration and strengthen enforcement mechanisms, aligning with the president-elect’s campaign promises on border security.