NILC Statement on New DHS Memo Terminating ‘Remain in Mexico’

WASHINGTON — Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center and the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund, issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s new memo terminating the Trump-era Migrant Protection Protocols, commonly known as the Remain in Mexico policy:

“For more than two years, the cruel Remain in Mexico policy has caused tremendous harm to tens of thousands of asylum seekers. Today, the Biden administration issued a new memo re-terminating this policy, which more explicitly recognizes the extreme violence, insecurity, and fundamental rights violations that were the essence of the prior administration’s Remain in Mexico policy. While overdue, today’s action is welcome progress toward making good on President Biden’s campaign promise to end this unlawful policy.

“Although today’s memo is a step in the right direction, it must be paired with further meaningful action to end Remain in Mexico for good and fully restore access to asylum – including at ports of entry – for those seeking protection under the law. The administration must move swiftly to vacate the injunction in Texas v. Biden and abandon its embrace of failed deterrence strategies. They must immediately end the indefensible use of unlawful Title 42 expulsions and stop all expedited removals and deportation flights to Haiti, and instead welcome asylum seekers with dignity. Our country can once again be a beacon of hope to those seeking safety and freedom.”

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