WASHINGTON – On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security began processing migrants for return to Mexico under the Migrant Protection Protocols at the Nogales Port of Entry. Previously, migrants apprehended in the Tucson Sector were returned to Mexico through El Paso for processing under the Protocols.
The move brings the total number of ports of entry employed for the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy to seven. MPP has been implemented and expanded in and around San Diego, Calexico, El Paso, Laredo, Brownsville, and Eagle Pass.
Under the new process, any migrants making illegal or inadmissible entry at the Southwest Border, regardless of location of entry, may be returned to Mexico through one of the seven locations to await their immigration court proceedings.
“MPP has been an extremely effective tool as the United States, under the leadership of President Trump, continues to address the ongoing humanitarian and security crisis at the border,” said Acting Secretary Chad Wolf in a press release. “The Department is fully committed to the program and will continually work with the Government of Mexico to expand and strengthen it. I am confident in the program’s continued success in adjudicating meritorious cases quickly and preventing fraudulent claims.”