Remain in Mexico program could restart in coming weeks

Remain in Mexico program could restart in coming weeks

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Remain in Mexico is a policy created during Trump’s administration that forced migrants to wait south of the Mexican border during their immigration proceedings. Biden suspended it almost immediately after he took office in January 2021 and could be reinstated in the coming weeks.

Nonetheless, the Mexican government laid out several requests to be met before the program is restarted. According to the Mexican Foreign Ministry, there have also been some concerns of humanitarian nature regarding the asylum procedure in the United States.

“Biden and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador have yet to agree to restart the program, formally known as the Migrant Protection Protocols, which requires asylum-seekers to live in Mexico as they await determination of their applications in the US,” said The Hill.

What is Mexico requesting?

The Mexican government is asking that development programs for southern Mexico and Central America be accelerated to address the root causes of migration. In addition, they are requesting medical assistance and covid-19 vaccines for shelters located near the US border.

In August, Texas District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk ruled that Biden’s administration must take good-faith steps to reinstate the policy. It forced thousands of refugees and migrants to wait at the Mexican border as their asylum was adjudicated in the United States. 

However, this long wait led to “ thousands of vulnerable migrants suffering sexual and other violent assault, kidnapping, and in some cases death, according to Immigration Hub, a national organization advocating for fair immigration policies,” according to an article published by Forbes.

They also explain that the implementation of the policy has been delayed due to Mexican government concerns. 

Among other conditions, Mexico requests that cases be wrapped up within six months to ensure timely and accurate access to case information. They also asked that Washington offer medical attention to migrants and additional resources for shelters and non-governmental organizations to improve the people’s conditions while they wait in Mexico.

They also request that the US provide legal advice to migrants to ensure that the process is carried out as expeditiously as possible.

If you have questions about immigrating to the United States and need legal advice, please contact Kannan Law, an immigration attorney in San Diego, California.