The U.S. is Restarting the ‘Remain in Mexico’ Policy for Asylum-Seekers
Migrants who are seeking to enter the United States will need to stay in Mexico while waiting for immigration hearings. The Biden administration has released a statement to comply with a court order and accept conditions set out by Mexico for resuming the Trump-era policy.
To learn more about this “remain in Mexico” policy for asylum-seekers and how this policy may impact you, continue reading. Do not hesitate to reach out to our experienced Lyndhurst family & individual immigration law firm to discuss how our legal team can assist you.
The policy has “endemic flaws” according to the Homeland Security secretary
Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has discussed the policy and has found that the policy has “endemic flaws, imposed unjustifiable human costs, pulled resources and personnel away from other priority efforts, and failed to address the root causes of irregular migration.”
Migrants that are subjected to this policy will be vaccinated against COVID-19. This means that adults will receive the one-dose shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine while qualified children under the United States guidelines will receive the Pfizer shot. Children will receive the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine when they come to the United States for their first hearings.
These cases will be aimed to be completed within 180 days. Mexico has expressed concerns that they will deteriorate. These cases will be allocated 22 immigration judges by the Justice Department to work on these cases solely.
The United States is working to ensure migrants’ safety
Migrants’ safety has been a concern for the Biden administration regarding their need to travel to and from the court to the United States and Mexico. Migrants from Laredo and Brownsville will be moved to locations further into Mexico. This is because these locations are more secure.
It has not been communicated from U.S. officials how many will be processed each day. The Biden administration has also kept another Trump-era policy in place that allows Central Americans to be returned to Mexico on the grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Before each hearing, migrants will be able to meet with lawyers. The State Department is working with Mexico on locations for access to lawyers via video and phone in the U.S.
Mexico has also released a statement saying that “vulnerable” individuals should be excused. Vulnerable individuals include unaccompanied children, pregnant women, physically or mentally ill people, older people, indigenous people, and members of the LGBTQ community. However, it has been reported by several United States-based legal aid groups that represented asylum-seekers waiting in Mexico that they will no longer take these cases. This adds question to the United States’ ability to provide migrants with access to legal counsel. Administrative officials have expressed that there are sufficient lawyers who will represent asylum-seekers who are sent back to Mexico.
If you have any further questions about this policy and how it may impact you, reach out to our skilled Lyndhurst family & individual immigration law firm
Contact our experienced New Jersey firm
We understand how much is on the line when clients face matters related to immigration. If you are in need of experienced legal counsel for matters regarding immigration, please contact the Law Offices of Salvatore A. Falletta, LLC and we would be happy to provide you with assistance. Our firm is located in Lyndhurst, New Jersey. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
