Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) is pushing new legislation (HR 8382) to restore the Trump Administration’s effective Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP)—widely known as the “Remain in Mexico” policy—to combat the worst border crisis in U.S. history. Under HR 8382, migrants apprehended at the border would be required to stay in Mexico as they await their application review by U.S. immigration officials.

            “President Biden’s disastrous border policies—including and especially his reversal of the Trump Administration’s Remain in Mexico policy—constitute a grave national security and humanitarian crisis that continues to put the lives of so many at risk,” said Rep. Smith.

            “Through his open border policies, President Biden has emboldened human traffickers and those bringing deadly fentanyl across our border,” said Smith.

            The legislation Smith has cosponsored comes on the heels of a Supreme Court ruling late last month allowing the Biden Administration to terminate the Trump-era immigration policy.

            A direct change from the Obama Administration’s failed “catch and release” immigration policy, the Trump protocols had ensured that migrants apprehended at the border remain in Mexico—instead of being released into the United States—for the duration of their immigration proceedings as they wait to appear in court.

            “By working to overturn the effective Trump policy,” Smith said, “Biden has not only jeopardized the safety of Americans, but he has also given false hope to desperate people willing to risk their own health and survival—even as they are cruelly exploited by ruthless cartels and traffickers.”

            Smith, who has voted more than 90 times to construct border security barriers, has repeatedly pushed to block Biden’s reversal of effective immigration policies put in place by the Trump Administration.

            Earlier this year, Smith cosponsored legislation (H.R. 7359) to extend Title 42—the Trump policy that gave federal officials expanded authority to expedite the removal of those who cross the border illegally and pose a serious risk to public health—to help combat the deadly amount of fentanyl pouring across the border, which has spiked dramatically in the past 12 months.

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