Mexico's Attorney General, Alejandro Gertz Manero, has announced plans to take legal action against the United States over the contentious Trump-era immigration policy known as the 'Remain in Mexico' programme. The policy, formally titled the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases were processed in US courts.
Background of the Controversial Policy
Implemented in 2019 under the Trump administration, the MPP was designed to deter mass migration by forcing asylum seekers to remain in Mexico rather than allowing them to stay in the US during their immigration proceedings. Critics argued the policy exposed vulnerable migrants to dangerous conditions in Mexican border towns.
Mexico's Legal Challenge
Attorney General Gertz Manero stated Mexico would explore all available legal avenues to hold the US accountable for what he described as 'violations of international law'. The announcement comes as relations between the two nations continue to evolve under the Biden administration.
Human Rights Concerns
Human rights organisations have documented numerous cases of violence, kidnapping and exploitation against migrants forced to wait in Mexico under the policy. The Mexican government estimates over 70,000 asylum seekers were affected by MPP before its suspension in 2021.
Current Immigration Landscape
While the Biden administration officially ended the MPP programme, immigration remains a contentious issue in US-Mexico relations. Mexico continues to face pressure from Washington to help stem the flow of migrants heading toward the US border.
The threatened legal action represents a significant escalation in Mexico's response to US immigration policies and could test the diplomatic relationship between the neighbouring countries.
