Tri-City Sun

Representative Bill G. Schuette introduced a resolution in the Michigan House today, urging the White House to reinstate the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as the Remain in Mexico program, to address security concerns at the U.S.-Mexico border.

House Resolution 283 calls for the reinstatement of MPP to manage migrants and asylum-seekers entering from Mexico. "Our southern border is creating a humanitarian and national security crisis for our nation," said Schuette, of Midland. "We need to secure our border to stop the flow of dangerous drugs like fentanyl into our nation and protect our communities from the drug cartels and gang lords that are exploiting our porous border."

The Trump Administration implemented MPP in December 2018 to curb illegal immigration and manage a backlog of asylum cases with cooperation from Mexico. However, President Biden began dismantling the program upon taking office, despite an acknowledgment that it likely reduced migration flows. In January 2021, the Department of Homeland Security suspended new enrollments, and by June 2021, the program was terminated.

Data since then has raised concerns about this decision. In December alone, U.S. Border Patrol recorded over 250,000 encounters with migrants at the border—a record high. Additionally, relaxed policies have created national security issues; Border Patrol encountered 172 individuals on the terrorist watchlist during fiscal year 2023.

"Protecting our families and communities and securing our country’s borders is a common sense issue," Schuette stated. "The Remain in Mexico program promoted legal immigration that’s been a part of our country’s foundation and it allowed our country to enforce its laws."

HR 283 has been referred to the House Government Operations Committee for consideration.