Mexico opposes restart of U.S. 'Remain in Mexico' immigration policy

MEXICO CITY, Feb 6 (Reuters) - The Mexican government said on Monday it is opposed to a possible restart of the U.S. immigration policy known as "Remain in Mexico" which required asylum seekers to wait for U.S. hearings in Mexico. President Joe Biden has sought to end the program, which had been introduced by the Trump administration and is currently suspended. But U.S. states such as Texas and Missouri filed a lawsuit to keep the program active and in December a U.S. judge paused Biden's attempt, saying the Department of Homeland Security had failed to adequately explain why the policy was ineffective and should be scrapped. article-prompt-devices Register for free to Reuters and know the full story Advertisement · Scroll to continue Report an ad Mexico's foreign ministry did not state its reasons for its opposition. Activists argue the policy, officially called Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), leaves migrants in dangerous border cities where they face threats of kidnapping and extortion. If the Mexican government remains firm in its opposition, U.S. officials would likely have to consider whether asylum seekers can stay in the United States while their claims are evaluated or make other arrangements to remove them from the country. Latest Updates Glacial lake floods threaten communities in Asia, South America In Peru’s Andes, anger hardens as fast election hopes fade Officer in charge of Brasilia security on Jan. 8 arrested Analysis: Canada's decriminalization experiment no match for toxic drug supply Explainer: What ails Canada's healthcare system? Some 74,000 migrants went through Mexico under the program when former President Donald Trump was in power, the foreign ministry said. Under Biden, that number is just 7,500. Marsha Espinosa, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement to Reuters on Monday that the Biden Administration will keep trying to terminate MPP through the courts. "Our ability to implement MPP pursuant to court order has always been contingent on the government of Mexico's willingness to accept returns under MPP," added Espinosa. For more information, visit us at http://www.beverlyhillsimmigrationlaw.com/index.html.