Officially referred to as the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), the Trump Administration’s ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy has created a tremendous amount of hardship for vulnerable asylum seekers. With only a couple of weeks left in the administration, President-Elect Biden—and the Mexican government—are currently trying to figure out how to clean up the mess at the border. Here, our Los Angeles immigration lawyer explains what is likely to happen in the coming weeks and months.
Elections Matter: New Administration Means Major Changes for Immigration
As President-Elect Biden is set to assume office, some federal immigration policy changes are expected to occur quickly, if not immediately. How quick the changes will happen depends on the specific nature of the immigration problem. The ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy was ill-planned and destructive enough that some officials are cautioning that it could take some time to unwind it. Last month, The Washington Post reported that President-Elect Biden wants to get rid of the policy, but also wants to put some guardrails in place.
Biden Administration Cautions the Policy May Take Some Time to Unwind
In December, Roll Call published a story on the challenges that the incoming administration will face. A member of President-Elect Biden’s transition team told reporters that the new administration plans to “establish a fair and orderly process that expands avenues for migrants to apply for protection and resettlement.” However, that same official also noted that “implementing this new approach will require time.”
As an example of one of the challenges that the incoming administration is facing, there are currently enormous backlogs in immigration courts. Many ‘Remain in Mexico’ asylum claims are stuck in this backlog. Among other things, the new administration wants to hire more immigration judges to help address the problem. It is crucial that President Biden is held accountable for standing behind his promises on asylum and other immigrant rights issues.
An International Dilemma: Mexican Government is Crafting a Plan to Deal With the Fallout
The Trump Administration’s ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy has created international problems. It will take some level of international cooperation to fix the damage. On January 4th, 2021, Reuters reported that Mexico is currently working on its own plan to address the matter. Officials for the Mexican government stressed that the country is not responsible for the confusion on the border. Mexico’s Interior Minister, Olga Sánchez Cordero, told reporters that the country’s government is seeking a better working relationship with the United States Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador.
Contact Our Los Angeles Immigration Law Advocates for Help With Your Case
At Goldstein Immigration Lawyers, our top-rated California immigration lawyer has the legal experience and expertise to help you find the best solution. We handle the entire range of immigration law matters, including asylum claims and refugee resettlement cases. Contact our Los Angeles law office now for a strictly confidential review of your immigration. We look forward to working with you and your family.
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