Trump Administration to Reinstate ‘Remain in Mexico’ Policy Amid Border Crisis

WASHINGTON (TNND) — The incoming Trump administration is preparing to reinstate the Migrant Protection Protocols, commonly known as the “Remain in Mexico” policy, as more than 11,000 migrants await asylum hearings at the U.S.-Mexico border. The policy, which requires asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while their cases are processed, aims to curb illegal immigration and deter fraudulent asylum claims.

Ken Cuccinelli, former acting director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under President-elect Donald Trump, testified before Congress, stating, “The real success of programs like the ‘Remain in Mexico’ program is not just that they screen out fake asylum seekers, but they help deter illegal aliens from coming in the first place.”

Since President Joe Biden took office in 2021, border encounters have reached record highs. GOP lawmakers attribute the surge to Biden’s policies, which they argue have weakened border security. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., the new chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, criticized the Biden administration, saying, “This deterioration was marked by a complete disregard for the laws put in place to protect U.S. citizens.”

Republicans are also pushing for the passage of the “No Asylum for Sex Offenders Act,” which would bar individuals convicted of sex offenses from entering the U.S. A similar bill passed the House during the previous Congress. Elon Musk weighed in on the issue, posting on X, “There is no excuse. Please post the list of people who opposed this law and want to keep illegals who are convicted sex offenders in America. They all need to be voted out of office. Every one of them.”

However, 61 Democrats opposed the bill, arguing that existing laws already address such crimes. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., criticized the legislation, stating, “This is once again a bill that widens the highway to Donald Trump’s mass deportation plans.” Opponents also expressed concerns that the bill could discourage immigrant communities from reporting domestic violence.

Legal advocacy groups have vowed to challenge the reinstated policies and any new legislation they deem unconstitutional. “We’ll be ready on day one to fight these policies with lawsuits,” a spokesperson for one group said.

The debate over immigration policy continues to intensify as the Trump administration prepares to take office, with both sides gearing up for a contentious battle over the future of U.S. border security and asylum procedures.