Rep. Gregory W. Meeks Sends Letter to the Department of Homeland Security Secretary to End Inhumane Migrant Protection Protocols

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) along with the support of other members of the Democratic Congressional Delegation sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas urging him to quickly disenroll the remaining individuals from the inhumane Trump-era Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as “Remain in Mexico.”

Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court approved the Biden Administration’s authority to terminate the MPP program. It is now important that DHS swiftly bring this rule to an end by releasing these men, women, and children from the program so they can safely pursue their asylum cases in the United States.

“Nearly 80,000 asylum seekers were subjected to this heinous Trump-era policy,” Rep. Meeks said. “Even after the Supreme Court’s announcement, a substantial number of people in the program are still awaiting their opportunity to pursue their asylum cases in the country. There are glaring due process concerns with this extremist program that must be immediately addressed.”

Additionally, this policy disproportionally impacts Black, Indigenous individuals, people of color, and women who are escaping political turmoil, discrimination, and violence back in their home countries. 

“It’s heartbreaking to witness these vulnerable populations leave their home countries only to face the same forms of abuses on their journey to and along our border,” Rep. Meeks said. “The inhumane treatment of Black asylum seekers has been a recurring theme throughout our immigration and border practices.”

It’s commendable that DHS is committed to ending the MPP and removing people from the program, but there is more work to be done. We urge DHS to follow the recommendations detailed in the letter to start the process of creating a safe and humane system for asylum seekers pursuing refuge in our country.

Rep. Meeks is joined by 53 other members of the Democratic Caucus as cosigners of the letter. 

The full letter is below.

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