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Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) today led a letter signed by over 40 members of Congress to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in response to the recent announcement of its intention to issue a new memo terminating the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as the “Remain in Mexico” policy.

As the letter states:

“If the Department abandons the tools needed to secure our border, it is a dereliction of duty and an insult to the officials on the ground who have been on hand to implement MPP, despite partisan leaders at the top constantly working to undermine its success.

“The men and women working under the Department of Homeland Security face immense challenges every day, and they deserve clear guidance as they enforce our immigration laws. They should never be subjected to misguided political directives that make their jobs more difficult. We strongly urge you to uphold the decisions of the court by implementing MPP and performing your duty to secure our border. We look forward to a timely response”

Full text of the letter can be found here.

The letter was signed by: Rick W. Allen (GA), Dan Crenshaw (TX), Ann Wagner (MO), Virginia Foxx (NC), Matthew Rosendale Sr. (MT), Elise Stefanik (NY), Carlos Gimenez (FL), Ted Budd (NC), Bill Posey (FL), Thomas P. Tiffany (WI), Garret Graves (LA), Scott DesJarlais (TN), Brian Babin, D.D.S (TX), Glenn Grothman (WI), Jody Hice (GA), Michael Waltz (FL), Ralph Norman (SC), Bob Gibbs (OH), Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX), Brett Guthrie (KY), Eric A. “Rick” Crawford (AR), Fred Keller (PA), Glenn 'GT' Thompson (PA), Liz Cheney (MI), Austin Scott (GA), Fred Upton (MI), Robert E. Latta (OH), Mike Bost (IL), David Kustoff (TN), Randy Feenstra (IA), Richard Hudson (NC), Andrew S. Clyde (GA), Earl L. 'Buddy' Carter (GA), Barry Moore (AL), Kevin Hern (OK), Dan Bishop (NC), Stephanie Bice (OK), W. Gregory Steube (FL), Jeff Duncan (SC), Ken Calvert (CA), Randy K. Weber (TX), Pete Sessions (TX), Madison Cawthorn (NC)

Background:

In 2019, the Department of Homeland Security implemented MPP to ensure an orderly process for asylum cases by requiring those claiming asylum to reside in Mexico while their case was pending. This policy, when used together with additional tools issued under the Trump Administration, reduced the number of border crossings. 

The Biden Administration first announced their intention to end MPP in June 2021. However, the states of Missouri and Texas brought a suit to a federal district court, where the court ruled that the Biden Administration must reinstate this policy by August 21, 2021.The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit denied a hold on this ruling. The Biden Administration then went to the U. S. Supreme Court to act on their behalf through an emergency request. However, the Supreme Court rejected this effort and required the Administration to reinstate MPP.