Press Release

Washington – Today, the Supreme Court of the United States upheld the Biden administration’s rescission of the Remain in Mexico program, formally known as MPP. Under the policy people seeking asylum were denied entry into the United States and were forced to wait in Mexico, often in dangerous areas while waiting for their case to be heard. In tandem with Title 42, Remain in Mexico has meant that our border has been effectively shut down for Black and Brown people seeking asylum. Today’s decision is one step towards restoring normalcy and dignity at our border. 

“While we welcome today’s ruling, we know that this decision alone will not fix our asylum system. Every day, we are faced with an increasingly anti-immigrant, anti-asylum agenda that seeks to systematically eliminate the human and legal right to seek asylum,” said Melina Roche, Campaign Manager of #WelcomeWithDignity. “We saw the direct result of such policies earlier this week in Texas, where 53 people died in an abandoned tractor-trailer because they had no safe way to seek protection in the United States. Black asylum seekers have been disproportionately impacted by Title 42 and Remain in Mexico, and we have seen an unending wave of expulsion flights to Haiti. Now, it is incumbent upon the Biden administration to take aggressive action to immediately end Remain in Mexico. The #WelcomeWithDignity campaign will continue to hold the Biden administration and members of Congress accountable until access to asylum is restored fairly and equitably to all seeking safety.”

“The Remain In Mexico program is a human rights nightmare for all involved. Treating asylum seekers with dignity is a moral imperative. The program must not only end, we must ensure it is never revived. It is a deadly program which must be buried in history,” said Margaret Cargioli Directing Attorney of the Cross-Border Initiative at Immigrant Defenders Law Center.

“The Court’s decision today is very narrow and technical, and troubling because of the way it detaches issues of discretion as to immigration and foreign policy decisions of the executive branch from deeper scrutiny as to the human rights impact of these policies. The overall struggle as to MPP’s legitimacy will continue meanwhile in lower courts that are very hostile to immigrant rights issues. This and other administrations meanwhile remain free to violate fundamental rights of immigrants, and to end, continue, or revive programs such as “Remain in Mexico” because of our immigration status. The only victory here is of immigrant communities on both sides of the border, and of our defenders. Not of this administration, or any other”, said Camilo Pérez-Bustillo of the leadership team of Witness at the Border

“Today’s ruling has cleared the way for the Biden Administration to act, to do what is morally required as guided by both science, and humane policy. It is time to end the Remain in Mexico program and Title 42. As Unitarian Universalists, our faith teaches us to hold sacred the inherent worth and dignity of every human. We are compelled to support the safety and security of persons fleeing violence and repression. Remain in Mexico and Title 42 stands in opposition to this belief and commitment. We call on the Administration to restore fair access to asylum as swiftly as possible. The tragedy this week in Texas underscores the moral failings of our refugee and immigration policy as a nation. We will continue to challenge the anti-immigrant, anti-asylum agenda in Congress and beyond. Our faith demands nothing less,” said Pablo DeJesús, Executive Director, Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice.

Gladis Molina Alt, Executive Director of the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights, said: “Seeking asylum has always been a legal and human right. Today’s Supreme Court decision, while long overdue, is testament to the power of our communities who took action to shed light on the horrors Remain in Mexico has inflicted on immigrant children, families, and adults. For years, this policy has fueled family separation and put the lives of immigrant communities at risk. Today’s Supreme Court decision means the Biden administration is under no obligation to continue the deadly consequences of Remain in Mexico and has the authority to end this policy now. It is critical that President Biden and his administration fully restore the right to asylum by also ending Title 42 and ensuring egregious policies like these are never revived.”          

“The Supreme Court’s decision in favor of Biden terminating MPP is a big win! This case resulted from a Trump appointed judge attempting to extend his administrative policy. This however does not address the issue of MPP being inhumane on the basis of denying asylum to those who seek it. As we move forward, the result must be much needed and awaited immigration reform. In order for the U.S. to remain a beacon of hope, it must treat those who seek asylum and refuge in a humane manner,” said Victor Cavazos, Co-Director of the Sidewalk School.

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The Welcome with Dignity Campaign is composed of more than 100 national and regional organizations committed to transforming the way the United States receives and protects people forced to flee their homes to ensure they are treated humanely and fairly. To learn more and join our campaign visit: welcomewithdignity.org