(Washington)—The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) called on the Biden administration to immediately stop processing immigrants under the Trump-era ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy now that the Supreme Court has ruled the program, also known as Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), can be ended.
“The ILRC is relieved this decision allows for those in MPP proceedings to enter the U.S. to pursue their asylum cases immediately,” said ILRC Policy Attorney & Strategist Elizabeth Taufa. “The Biden administration cannot let this draconian and inhumane program exist for even one more day.”
MPP has contributed to a humanitarian disaster at the border since it was implemented in 2019. The Biden administration had tried to end the policy but was sued by states led by anti-immigrant politicians to keep the program in place.
“Asylum seekers are fleeing extraordinarily dangerous and violent conditions. Forcing them to remain in these situations any longer is unjust, inhumane and makes them vulnerable to human trafficking,” Taufa said.
“Just this week in San Antonio, more than 50 migrants lost their lives in an overheated tractor-trailer because they had no other options,” Taufa added. “If our country had more humane border policies and a functioning immigration system, perhaps this tragedy might have been prevented.”
“The ILRC will continue to work toward dismantling any racist and anti-immigrant policies and replace them with solutions grounded in the care and compassion immigrants deserve,” Taufa said.
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The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) is a national nonprofit that works with immigrants, community organizations, legal professionals, and policy makers to build a democratic society that values diversity and the rights of all people. Through community education programs, legal training & technical assistance, and policy development & advocacy, the ILRC works to protect and defend the fundamental rights of immigrant families and communities. Follow us at www.ilrc.org, and on Twitter and Instagram @the_ILRC