Background on the “Remain in Mexico” Program (MPP)
The “Remain in Mexico” program, officially known as the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), is a controversial policy implemented by the United States government in December 2018. The program forces asylum seekers arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border to wait in Mexico for their immigration court hearings instead of being held within the U.S. The policy has been heavily criticized for exposing vulnerable individuals to dangerous conditions in Mexico, limiting their access to legal counsel, and undermining their chances of obtaining asylum.
Who are the Key Players?
Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, the Head of Government of Mexico City and an influential figure in Mexican politics, is central to this issue. Juan Ramón de la Fuente García Tino, Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Relations, and Sergio Salomón Céspedes, Commissioner of the National Institute of Migration (INM), are also key figures as they represent Mexico’s stance on migration policies.
The Call to Action
A coalition of 43 civil society organizations and 20 human rights defenders has urged Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo to reject any reimplementation of the MPP program. In a letter addressed to Sheinbaum, these groups emphasize their commitment to safeguarding the security, dignity, and human rights of migrants without discrimination.
Reasons for Opposition
- Human Rights Concerns: The organizations argue that reimplementing the MPP would be incompatible with Mexico’s constitutional and international obligations to respect, protect, and guarantee human rights.
- Policy Incompatibility: They assert that the MPP does not align with a migration policy based on humanism, human rights, and an intersectional approach.
- Lack of Safeguards: The letter highlights that the MPP is a form of externalization of migration control and coercion by the U.S. government, transferring protection responsibilities to Mexico without ensuring adequate safety, protection, or access to rights for returned individuals.
- Mexico’s Responsibility: The signatories stress that the MPP implementation requires Mexico’s consent and coordination, as acknowledged by the Supreme Court in resolving Amparo 302/2020. The court recognized Mexico’s responsibility for failing to establish protocols or guidelines for receiving returned individuals under a gender, child, and disability-inclusive migration policy.
Impact on Migrants and the Broader Community
The reimplementation of the MPP program would have severe consequences for vulnerable migrants, including women, children, and individuals with disabilities. These groups are at heightened risk of violence, exploitation, and human rights abuses in Mexico. Moreover, limiting access to legal counsel and undermining asylum seekers’ chances of obtaining protection further jeopardizes their safety and well-being.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the “Remain in Mexico” program (MPP)? The MPP is a U.S. policy that forces asylum seekers arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border to wait in Mexico for their immigration court hearings instead of being held within the U.S.
- Who are the main organizations calling for the rejection of MPP reimplementation? A coalition of 43 civil society organizations and 20 human rights defenders has urged the Mexican government to reject any reimplementation of the MPP program.
- Why are these organizations concerned about MPP reimplementation? They argue that it would be incompatible with human rights obligations, undermine a migration policy based on humanism and intersectionality, and expose vulnerable migrants to dangerous conditions in Mexico.
- What is the role of the Mexican government in this issue? The Mexican government, represented by Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, Juan Ramón de la Fuente García Tino, and Sergio Salomón Céspedes, has been urged to reject MPP reimplementation and uphold its constitutional and international human rights obligations.
