Southern border reopens for asylum seekers

On Friday, February 19, 2021, the Biden administration allowed 25 asylum seekers to enter the U.S. from Mexico. This is the beginning of efforts to undo the Trump administration’s restrictive asylum policies at the southern border.

The Migration Protection Protocols (MPP) known as “Remain in Mexico” forced asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for their cases to be heard. Under MPP over 65,000 asylum seekers have been denied entry. Now they will be processed gradually and be able to stay in the U.S. until their cases are heard.

Under the new plan, only those with an active MPP case will be allowed to enter. All others will still be denied entry. The first 25 people came through California, and two ports of entry in Texas are expected to open soon. The administration hopes to eventually process 300 asylum seekers a day at each location.