New Immigration Policies: Restart of "Remain in Mexico" and Other Key Changes

DHS Announces Significant Shifts in Immigration Enforcement and Policies

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has unveiled several major changes to its immigration policies and enforcement directives. Acting DHS Secretary Benjamine Huffman issued a directive to immediately restart the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as the "Remain in Mexico" policy. Under this program, asylum seekers will be required to wait in Mexico while their cases are adjudicated in U.S. immigration courts.

Expanded Immigration Enforcement Authority for Federal Law Enforcement

Additionally, Huffman's directives grant immigration enforcement authority to officials from various Department of Justice (DOJ) agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Service, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. These agencies will now have the power to investigate and apprehend undocumented individuals.

Rescinding Policies on Protected Areas and Humanitarian Parole

Another directive rescinds previous guidelines that limited immigration enforcement activities in or near "protected areas" such as schools, hospitals, and places of worship. It also ends the broad use of humanitarian parole, returning the program to a case-by-case basis.

Waiving COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Green Card Applicants

In a move that may impact green card applicants, DHS announced that it is waiving COVID-19 vaccination requirements for individuals applying for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident.

Implications for Immigration Law and Policies

These policy changes signify a shift towards stricter immigration enforcement and tighter controls on asylum seekers and undocumented individuals. The restart of the "Remain in Mexico" policy, in particular, is likely to face legal challenges from immigration advocates and civil rights organizations.