AILA Public Statements, Press Releases

U.S. Supreme Court Affirms the Biden Administration’s Authority to End MPP

6/30/22 AILA Doc. No. 22063006. Admissions & Border, Asylum, Removal & Relief

WASHINGTON, June 30, 2022—The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) welcomed today’s ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that the Biden Administration has the authority to end the “Remain in Mexico” policy, officially known as the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP)—a program that forces asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico for the duration of their immigration proceedings. The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 against the state of Texas.

AILA President Jeremy McKinney stated, “‘Remain in Mexico’ was a cruel and inhumane policy put in place by the Trump Administration to make it harder for people to exercise their right to asylum. This decision by the Supreme Court was a direct rebuke of the lower courts’ orders and affirmed that the Biden Administration did not violate immigration law when it eliminated this immoral policy. We are pleased the Supreme Court addressed the legal issue head on. Today, they got it right.”

Benjamin Johnson, AILA Executive Director added, “The ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy, as well as policies like Title 42, have been a stain on America’s values and to basic due process rights by denying basic human rights to thousands of people and which have led to hundreds of deaths of people, including children, simply seeking safety. Today’s ruling is a victory for compassion and the rule of law - and for tens of thousands of vulnerable individuals attempting to seek refuge from terrible violence and persecution.”

The American Immigration Lawyers Association is the national association of immigration lawyers established to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members.

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