The policy, initially implemented under Trump, requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their claims are processed, sparking concerns over migrant safety.
The Biden administration has announced the reinstatement of the contentious “Remain in Mexico” policy, requiring asylum seekers at the U.S. southern border to wait in Mexico as their asylum claims are assessed. This decision reverses President Biden’s previous stance, where he had suspended the program after taking office.
Originally introduced by the Trump administration in 2019, the policy had been criticized for exposing migrants to significant risks, including violence from criminal gangs. Over 60,000 asylum seekers were sent back to Mexico, where many faced dangerous conditions while waiting for their hearings.
The policy’s revival comes after Republican officials from Texas and Missouri filed lawsuits, arguing that its suspension was placing undue strain on local governments due to an influx of migrants. The U.S. and Mexico governments have agreed to restart the program, initially in cities such as San Diego, Laredo, Brownsville, and El Paso, starting next week.
While Biden had previously denounced the policy as inhumane, citing its harmful impact on migrants, he now faces legal and political pressure that has led to its reinstatement.
