Date Announced

USCIS issues guidance for implementing the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP). According to the guidance, USCIS asylum officers should only interview those individuals referred by DHS immigration officers to assess whether it is "more likely than not" that the individual would be persecuted or tortured in Mexico. The memo states that individuals will not be granted access to counsel in preliminary interviews before being returned to Mexico. Mexican nationals and unaccompanied minors are not subject to MPP.

[ID #67]

See Biden administration action below.

Effective Date of Change

Subsequent Action

A federal district court enjoined the MPP policy on Apr. 8, 2019. The Ninth Circuit stayed the injunction pending appeal, and affirmed the injunction on Feb. 28, 2020. The Supreme Court stayed the injunction on Mar. 11, 2020, and granted cert. on Oct. 19, 2020. See Innovation Law Lab v. Wolf (N.D. Cal. 3:19-cv-00807) (9th Cir. 19-15716) (SCOTUS 19-1212). On Feb. 3, 2021, SCOTUS cancelled the oral argument at the Biden administration's request in light of the DHS directive suspending enrollments in the MPP program as of 1/21/21 and directing a review.

**Litigation is listed for informational purposes and is not comprehensive. For the current status of legal challenges, check other sources.**

Biden Administration Action

This Biden administration policy modifies the Trump-era policy identified in this entry.

On January 20, 2021, DHS announced it will stop new enrollments in the MPP program: “Effective tomorrow, January 21, the Department will cease adding individuals into the program. However, current COVID-19 non-essential travel restrictions, both at the border and in the region, remain in place at this time. All current MPP participants should remain where they are, pending further official information from U.S. government officials.”

Biden Administration Action

This Biden administration policy revokes in its entirety the Trump-era policy identified in this entry.

On June 1, 2021, DHS issued a policy memorandum signed by Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas terminating the MPP Program. The memorandum instructs DHS personnel to take the necessary steps to rescind implementing guidance and other policy guidance related to the program.

Biden Administration Action

This Biden administration policy provides ongoing guidance for DHS regarding people affected by the Trump-era policy identified in this entry.

Effective June 23, 2021, DHS announced that they will expand the pool of MPP-enrolled individuals who are eligible for processing into the United States. DHS will include MPP enrollees who had their cases terminated or were ordered removed in absentia (i.e., individuals ordered removed while not present at their hearings). DHS will continue to process for entry into the United States MPP enrollees with pending proceedings.