On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order, titled “Securing our Borders.” Section 6 of this order mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, take immediate action to reinstate the Migrant Protection Protocols (“MPP”), also known as the “Remain in Mexico” policy, along the entire Southern Border with Mexico. This policy requires that individuals be returned to their home country or a nearby country while they await their immigration hearings or removal proceedings.
MPP was originally created and implemented during the first Trump administration in 2019. It aimed to address the growing number of asylum seekers, particularly from Central America, by ensuring they remain outside of U.S. territory while their asylum claims were processed. However, the policy led to several controversial outcomes, as many individuals and families were forced to wait in difficult conditions in Mexico, often facing limited resources and safety concerns.
References:
American Immigration Council. Migrant Protection Protocols. American Immigration Council. February 1, 2024.
The White House. Securing Our Borders. The White House. January 20, 2025.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security. DHS Reinstates Migrant Protection Protocols. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. January 21, 2025.
