Trump administration to expand ‘Remain-in-Mexico’ program at key border crossings

The Trump administration is strengthening a key immigration program in two critical areas along the southern border – as officials say they must keep up with shifting migrant flows that are adapting to U.S. efforts.

The Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), commonly known as the “Remain-in-Mexico” policy, was established in January and expanded over the summer amid greater cooperation with Mexico. The policy involves returning migrants to Mexico as they await their immigration hearings, with courtrooms set up at key border sites, instead of them being released into the interior.

Beginning Friday, the agency is further expanding MPP to the Tucson Sector of Arizona. It comes in response to a surge in migrant flows in that area, reflecting groups adapting to the implementation of MPP at other hotspots along the border.

Officials say that migrants crossing the border there will now be bussed over to El Paso, where they can be returned to Mexico and there is capacity and shelter -- and MPP has already been in place for six months ...

CAIRCO Research

Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP),  U.S. immigration and Custims Enforcement (ICE), February 13, 2019