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Republican lawmakers are set to introduce new legislation aimed at reviving the “Remain in Mexico” program, formally known as the Migrant Protection Protocols, a signature immigration policy from Trump’s first term.
The Senate convened Thursday morning to discuss the policy implications, signaling strong Republican support for its reinstatement.
Originally established through Trump’s executive order in 2019, the program was terminated by President Biden in 2021, who implemented his “catch-and-release” approach, leading to a significant surge in unauthorized border crossings.
Never forget: Democrats willfully dismantled Trump's Remain in Mexico policy to suit their open-border insanity
Had the program been in effect under Biden, more innocent Americans would still be alive today pic.twitter.com/vLgqFvIFOM
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) January 16, 2025
With Trump’s return to office approaching, GOP legislators are working to codify the policy into federal law, making it more difficult for future administrations to overturn, unlike Biden’s reversal of Trump’s executive order.
Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, who introduced the House version, stated: “Biden’s first action upon taking office four years ago was to reverse President Trump’s ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy. The consequences have proven deadly. My bill lays the groundwork to restore law and order and secure our nation by federally mandating that those awaiting a court date do so from their country of origin. We are a land of laws, it’s time we act like it and put the safety of Americans first.”
My chart is now most famous for saving President Trump's life, but he first used it to show how his policies secured our border.
His Remain in Mexico policy was the most crucial part of his success, and I look forward to working with him to secure our border again. pic.twitter.com/ab5REDqKQI
— Senator Ron Johnson (@SenRonJohnson) January 16, 2025
The legislative package, which includes bills from freshman Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, and Sen. Marsha Blackburn’s CLEAR Act, would require asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while their cases are processed.
Blackburn emphasized in her statement: “During his time in office, President Biden rolled back the successful ‘Remain in Mexico’ program, invited millions of illegal immigrants to flood our southern border, and refused to enforce the laws on the books. President Biden’s failure to lead permitted lawlessness across the country and resulted in the murder of innocent Americans like Laken Riley. Both the CLEAR Act and the Make MPP Mandatory Act would strengthen border security and crack down on those who break our laws.”
