AILA Public Statements, Press Releases

AILA President Allen Orr Responds to Federal Judge Decision to Reinstate “Remain in Mexico” Asylum Policy

8/16/21 AILA Doc. No. 21081634. Admissions & Border, Removal & Relief

CONTACT:
George Tzamaras
202-507-7649
gtzamaras@aila.org

WASHINGTON, DC – Allen Orr, President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) shared the following statement regarding U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk’s decision, from this past Friday, enjoining DHS’s decision to end the Migrant Protection Protocols program.

AILA President Allen Orr stated, “For two years, the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as the “Remain in Mexico” program, inflicted immeasurable pain and suffering on asylum-seeking individuals under the guise of securing the border. AILA’s delegation to the border experienced firsthand the secrecy of the tent courts where MPP cases were heard and witnessed the full shock and misery of the humanitarian crisis created by this destructive public policy. Anyone who supports a return to MPP has not seen what they saw. This is the reason AILA called for ending enrollments in MPP in our recommendations to the incoming Biden administration and applauded the administration for its decisive action in doing so. AILA is now urging the administration to remain steadfast in its commitment and file all necessary appeals to make sure that the United States does not go backward and adopt the anti-immigrant and restrictionist vision supported by a select few.”


The American Immigration Lawyers Association is the national association of immigration lawyers established to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members.