Today, the Department of Homeland Security officially terminated the “Remain in Mexico” policy, also known as the Migrant Protection Protocols, which was implemented over two years ago and forced more than 70,000 individuals to wait in Mexico as their asylum cases are processed. Thousands of individuals and families were harmed under the policy, forcing survivors fleeing gender-based violence to live in dangerous conditions, with limited access to legal counsel and trauma-informed care. The Tahirih Justice Center is a plaintiff in the lawsuit challenging “Remain in Mexico.”
“The termination of the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy is a critical step towards a more just immigration system for those seeking safety at our borders,” said Archi Pyati, Tahirih Chief Executive Officer. “We are happy to know that thousands of families and individuals escaping violence no longer have to live in limbo or be vulnerable to additional exploitation, violence, and trauma, while waiting for their day in court. We’ve challenged this policy from the beginning because those seeking asylum, including survivors of gender-based violence, should be able to find a safe haven instead of being sent back to danger.”
Archi Pyati is available for comment on this topic. Please contact Rachel Pak at [email protected] to arrange an interview.
