In January 2019, the Trump administration implemented a policy requiring people seeking asylum in the United States to wait for their immigration hearings in dangerous conditions in Northern Mexico rather than within the United States. The policy, known as the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), or ‘Remain in Mexico,’ was a stark departure from longstanding U.S. asylum procedures and protections. After a lengthy legal battle, which included a court order reimplementation of the policy under the Biden administration, the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy officially ended in August of 2022.
During the time the policy was in effect, over 77,000 people seeking asylum, including thousands of children, were issued notices to appear in immigration court and turned back to Mexico. In northern Mexico, families and individuals faced dangerous and unsafe conditions, including violence, exploitation, and inadequate essential services like healthcare, education, and housing. Human Rights First documented over 2,500 attacks on people enrolled in MPP, many of whom were targeted because of their race, gender, or sexual orientation.
We must never forget that statistics are not just numbers; they are the stories and struggles of families, loved ones, and neighbors. One such story is of Patricia, a Guatemalan asylum seeker whom Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA) was able to support.
Patricia’s Story:
Patricia, along with her husband and 1-year-old daughter, journeyed to the United States to seek asylum in 2019. Upon her arrival at the United States border, the family was forced to wait in Mexico under MPP. While in Mexico, the family was kidnapped by Mexican gangs and held for ransom for 13 days with about 70 other hostages. Patricia and her husband could only call their family to request ransom money, which they ultimately paid. However, their journey didn’t end there.
The family’s asylum hearing was scheduled while they were kidnapped. Despite notifying U.S. immigration officials of their situation, Patricia and her family were issued deportation orders for missing their court date. Upon returning to Guatemala, the family continued to experience the same persecution: extortion, threats, and a lack of police protection due to corruption. In 2021, Patricia and her family made the difficult decision to try to seek safety in the United States again. Their fear of staying in Guatemala outweighed the risks they faced coming to the United States.
LSSNCA provided Patricia and her family with legal assistance to navigate the U.S. asylum system. LSSNCA also provided mental health services to help them recover from the trauma of their kidnapping and connected them to a supportive community, allowing them to rebuild their lives so they can thrive and heal.
The ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy subjected hundreds of thousands of people, like Patricia’s family, to dangerous and unsafe conditions that severely affected their physical and mental well-being. Additionally, the policy was plagued with due process violations. It also violated U.S. legal obligations not to return people to places where their “life or freedom would be threatened” (Innovation Law Lab v. Wolf, 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 20-35853, 2020).
LSSNCA remains committed to upholding our nation’s legacy as a beacon of hope for people seeking safety through policies and programs that respect the dignity of people seeking refuge and adhere to refoulment laws. We oppose policies that restrict asylum access, including the "Remain in Mexico" policy, which endangers people's lives and has lasting, negative effects on their well-being.
