Remain in Mexico' Policy Now Mandatory for Asylum Seekers Under New Bill

The 'Make the Migrant Protection Protocols Mandatory Act of 2025' does exactly what it says on the tin: it forces the U.S. government to implement the controversial 'Remain in Mexico' policy, officially known as the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP). The key change? It swaps out the word 'may' for 'shall' in the existing Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1225(b)(2)(C)). This seemingly small tweak has huge implications, removing any wiggle room and making it mandatory for asylum seekers arriving at the southern border to wait in Mexico while their U.S. cases are processed.

No More Options

Previously, the government had some discretion in applying MPP. Now, it's full steam ahead, no exceptions. This means that every asylum seeker arriving at the border, regardless of their individual circumstances, could be sent back to Mexico to wait – often for months or even years – for a decision on their asylum claim.

Real-World Ripple Effects

Imagine you're a mechanic fleeing violence in your home country. You arrive at the U.S. border seeking asylum, hoping for safety and a chance to rebuild your life. Under this new law, you'll be sent back to Mexico, potentially to a border town with limited resources and high crime rates, to wait for your case to be heard. Or picture a family escaping persecution – they're now stuck in limbo, in potentially dangerous conditions, with no guarantee of when, or if, they'll get a resolution.

This mandatory return policy raises serious, practical questions. Where will people stay? Who will provide food, shelter, and medical care? Mexico's resources are already stretched thin, and this bill doesn't offer any solutions for the increased strain. It also presents important legal challenges, as international agreements generally prohibit returning asylum seekers to places where they face danger.

The Bigger Picture

This bill fits into a larger trend of increasingly restrictive immigration policies. By removing flexibility, it prioritizes border control over individual circumstances. While proponents might argue this will deter those with weak asylum claims, it also means vulnerable people, like victims of trafficking or those with serious health conditions, could be forced to wait in unsafe environments. This bill's mandatory nature removes the safety valve, potentially leading to situations where people are returned to danger simply because the law allows no exceptions.