What remains of Mexican policy? Is there a surge in borders?

this week, Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Biden v Texas, A case that revolves around the controversial “stay in Mexico” policy. Judges are expected to make a decision this summer.

Here’s what you need to know about policies and surrounding discussions:

What is the “remain in Mexico” policy?

The “Stay in Mexico” policy is officially known as the Immigration Protection Protocol. Under the protocol first enforced by the Trump administration in January 2019, the U.S. government will return non-Mexican asylum seekers (who entered the United States via the southern border) to Mexico and wait for immigration procedures. I can.

The Biden administration suspended its policy in January 2021 and then ended in June 2021, but was revived in early December by a court ruling. US officials have once again begun sending non-Mexican asylum seekers to Mexico.

The immigration protection protocol applies only to those from the Western Hemisphere. There are many other exemptions. For example, it does not apply to unaccompanied minors.

The Biden administration has coordinated policy and clarified who is exempt from it, said Danilo Zack, policy and advocacy manager for the National Immigration Forum. They exempted pregnant women, the elderly, and those who could be harmed due to gender identity.

How did the “Stay in Mexico” policy affect the transition?

Experts say the policy aims to prevent foreigners from immigrating to the United States. “It was established by the Trump administration as one of a series of steps to discourage individuals and families from seeking asylum in the United States,” said the Jesuit Refugee Services Advocacy and Head of Operations. Julia McPherson said.

Usually — that is, before the implementation of the “stay in Mexico” policy Title 42, Part of a public health law that allows Customs and Border Protection officials to keep migrants away at the border — experts say that people looking for asylum will usually appear at the place of entry.In the process of Reliable horror interview Together with US officials, it was established that the person could face torture and persecution in his home country. When their case goes through the system, they are allowed to stay in the United States.

However, the policy of “staying in Mexico” means that asylum seekers will be sent to Mexico even after passing a credible horror interview.

Violence and anxiety are “systemic throughout northern Mexico, especially in border towns near the port of entry,” she said, so many asylum seekers withdrew their claims and moved to other parts of Mexico. rice field.

Did you stop undocumented immigrants from coming to the United States?

Experts emphasize that policies such as “Stay in Mexico” and Title 42 are intended as deterrents, but do not actually lead to a reduction in the number of border crossings. In fact, despite the ongoing implementation of Title 42 and “Stay in Mexico” under the Biden administration, the number of border crossings is approaching record highs.

For example, when the policy came into effect in March, border authorities arrested 210,000 migrants. This is the highest number in over 20 years. Reuters reported..Also in 2019, the first year the immigration protocol was implemented Rapid increase in migrationAccording to the Pew Research Center.

“What we saw was that the numbers weren’t settled,” McPherson said. “People are fleeing from despair. We also need to address the problems of US asylum and immigration, and the root causes of immigration.”

In addition, experts say more are going to the United States undetected, as the “stay in Mexico” policy encourages immigrants to avoid border guards. This means they are traveling longer and more detours, often passing through dangerous terrain and putting their lives at greater risk.

“The majority want to follow legal proceedings and make legal claims. All we need is for the US government to respect its rights and their wishes,” he said.

Why do immigrant advocates believe it is important to lift the “stay in Mexico” policy?

They give several reasons. For one thing, the United States has signed the 1967 Protocol on Refugee Status. Some legal experts believe that “staying in Mexico” violates this treaty.

Human rights advocates also say that the “stay in Mexico” policy violates US law. More than that, they believe it is inhumane.

Many asylum seekers returning to Mexico are vulnerable to violence such as sexual assault, kidnapping, and murder, as well as waiting in poor conditions for lack of basic necessities, Zack said. rice field.

For example, among those seeking care at the Doctors Without Borders clinic in Nuevo Laredo between January and October 2019. 80% reported experiencing violence and 75% said they had been kidnapped..

Experts also say that waiting in Mexico as their case exits the US system would make it difficult or impossible to pursue their asylum claims. According to Zack, these individuals “have very limited access to lawyers” in the United States and are often not ordered or able to go to court. As a result, many were subject to “trial in absentia” orders. “These are persistent concerns no matter which government controls policy,” he added.

Why do some politicians and others want to maintain a “stay in Mexico” policy?

Some policy makers say it is essential for the security and security of Americans, which reduces the number of immigrants who enter the United States illegally. When the 2021 court ruling re-enacted the policy Texas Governor Greg Abbott praised the moveWe call it “a great victory for the security and security of our state, our country, and our community.”

Last month I described the policy as “thoughtful” Comments he submitted to the House Subcommittee on Border Security“Proper application of MPP will help save the lives of all Arizona communities and people across the country,” said Timothy Rommer, director of the Arizona Department of Homeland Security.

He argued that this policy would help law enforcement authorities better protect the country from drugs and “cross-border criminal gangs that continue to benefit from vulnerable people.”

Despite record numbers of border crossings in both “Stay in Mexico” and Title 42, Romer found that these policies helped “manage border conditions.” Guaranteed to.

How will ending the “stay in Mexico” policy affect the situation on the southern border?

Experts say they don’t expect the number of people trying to reach the United States to change if the policy is lifted. Immigrants fleeing their country are “not interested in the policies that may be seen at the border with the United States,” Zack said. “They are … interested in trying to find safety.”

Proponents also say the United States may begin to evaluate asylum seeker claims. “We have a precedent for this. When the Biden administration ended its policy in June last year, they started processing people,” McPherson said, and her organization accompanies immigrants across borders. He added that “it was done in an orderly manner” because he helped.

“We know that the government will work with non-governmental organizations to develop a process that can award cases while (asylum seekers) safely wait for court in the United States.” She said.