'Matter of life and death': Officials concerned as SCOTUS certifies ruling to end ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy

'Matter of life and death': Officials concerned as SCOTUS certifies ruling to end ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy
President Joe Biden had suspended the Migrant Protection Protocols on his first day in office in January 2021 (David McNew and Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The Supreme Court has now certified its month-old judgement, made on June 30, 2022, that allowed President Joe Biden's administration to put an end to the Migrant Protection Protocols, also known as the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy. However, the ruling has concerned a few officials within the administration.

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On Monday, August 1, 2022, after Supreme Court certified the ruling of ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy that required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while claims are processed and waiting for hearings, a few celebrated the move, however, some showed concern over the judgement. Karen Tumlin, founder and director at Justice Action Center, issued a statement that read, "Today, the Supreme Court issued its judgment certifying the Biden Administration’s ability to end the deadly Remain in Mexico (RMX) program. As JAC and the #SafeNotStranded campaign have emphasized and DHS itself has recognized, the horrific human cost of RMX makes clear that the Biden Administration must swiftly and humanely end the program once and for all." She further said, "Tens of thousands of asylum seekers have been harmed by RMX while exercising their right to seek safety, and they must now be allowed to pursue their asylum claims; meanwhile, no new people should be placed in this shameful program." National Security Council (NSC) officials welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision but are worried that ending the program entirely would upend continuing immigration negotiations with the Mexican government, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.