Trump administration says "Remain in Mexico" program is one "we're building to last"
By Camilo Montoya-Galvez
/ CBS News
Washington — In recent weeks, the Trump administration has directly pointed to the controversial "Remain in Mexico" policy as one the chief reasons the number of apprehensions along the southwestern border have decreased over the past two months. Ken Cuccinelli, President Trump's top official at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), recently lauded the program as a "spectacular success."
The administration is now signaling that the program will continue indefinitely, even if there are significant declines in border apprehensions.
"MPP is a tool that Congress provided DHS to maintain operational control of our border and to facilitate an expedited removal proceeding process," a Department of Homeland Security official told CBS News, referring to the policy by its official name, the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP). "While we hope that with lower numbers there will be lower returns under MPP, this is a program that we're building to last."
Under the policy, which is being challenged in court, the Trump administration has returned tens of thousands of asylum seekers to Mexico to wait for their hearings in U.S. immigration court. In addition to this program, U.S. officials have also implemented a policy known as "metering" to limit the number of people who can seek asylum at highly transited ports of entry, effectively ensuring that tens of thousands of migrants are required to wait in Mexico, either for the court date or to seek asylum for the first time.
Immigration More
More in Immigration
CBS News series on "Remain in Mexico"
In Mexico, the vast majority of those returned struggle to find American lawyers, shelter and employment. Many also fear being kidnapped or assaulted during their prolonged stays in Mexican cities like Tijuana, Ciudad Juárez and Matamoros, where crime and insecurity are rampant.
The DHS official said on Monday that more than 31,800 migrants have been placed in the program and returned to Mexico, but cautioned that the figure "is not indicative of the number of people [in Mexico] currently awaiting" a U.S. court hearing. Some of those in the program, citing desperation, opt to go home and abandon their asylum claims, and the Mexican government has already been operating a program to transport them back to their home countries in Central America.
The "Remain in Mexico" policy has been implemented at border sectors near San Diego, Calexico, El Paso, Laredo and Brownsville, located in the busy Rio Grande Valley. Since it reached an agreement in June with the Mexican government to avert the president's threats to impose tariffs on Mexican goods, the Trump administration has pledged to expand the program along the entire border.
The U.S., the DHS official added, is working with the Mexican government and considering "infrastructure and capacity capabilities on both sides of the border" to determine where the program will be implemented next.
When the policy made its debut in San Diego in December of last year, the administration cited a "migration crisis" at U.S.-Mexico border caused by an unprecedented influx of Central American families and unaccompanied children heading north. The agency said the program was instituted, in part, to deter "false" asylum claims and devote "more attention on those who are actually fleeing persecution."
Apprehensions along the southern border decreased in June and July from the height of the recent surge in May, when U.S. officials apprehended 133,000 migrants. In recent years, border crossings along the U.S.-Mexico frontier have also dwindled in the summer months because of the heat in the region.
First published on August 19, 2019 / 1:35 PM
© 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Iran sanctions threaten the lives of young cancer patients
In the battle over sanctions between the U.S. and Iran, the losers are Iranian cancer patients seeking life-saving drugs
5M ago 
DHS says "Remain in Mexico" program is one "we're building to last"
Under the policy, approximately 32,000 asylum seekers have been returned by the U.S. to Mexico â where most struggle to find lawyers and some face persecution
5M ago 
NASA program "OMG" trying to find out how fast Greenland's ice is melting
Ice lost in Greenland means higher sea levels around the world. "Oceans Melting Greenland," a NASA program in its fourth year, is studying the melt.
5H ago 
Iran warns U.S. not to seize newly-freed supertanker
Vessel once known as Grace 1 and renamed Adrian Darya 1, freed by Gibraltar, apparently heading for Greece
3H ago 
Prince Andrew says he's "appalled" by alleged Jeffrey Epstein crimes
British royal says he wasn't involved, in statement released after video emerges of prince in Epstein's New York mansion waving goodbye to young woman
5H ago
DHS says "Remain in Mexico" program is one "we're building to last"
Under the policy, approximately 32,000 asylum seekers have been returned by the U.S. to Mexico â where most struggle to find lawyers and some face persecution
5M ago 
Megan Rapinoe's dad probably voted for Trump
Rapinoe spoke about what it was like to come out to her conservative parents
43M ago 
Target launches private food label Good and Gather in grocery push
The retailer said the line of 650 new products will not include any artificial flavors or sweeteners
48M ago 
Dog Goods USA recalls pig ears in 33-state outbreak of salmonella
Pet owners are urged to return pig ears sold under the Chef Toby brand amid reports of 127 people falling ill
1H ago 
NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo fired in 2014 Eric Garner chokehold death
New York City's police commissioner fires officer involved in 2014 death of unarmed black man
updated 35M ago
Iran sanctions threaten the lives of young cancer patients
In the battle over sanctions between the U.S. and Iran, the losers are Iranian cancer patients seeking life-saving drugs
5M ago
DHS says "Remain in Mexico" program is one "we're building to last"
Under the policy, approximately 32,000 asylum seekers have been returned by the U.S. to Mexico â where most struggle to find lawyers and some face persecution
5M ago
Megan Rapinoe's dad probably voted for Trump
Rapinoe spoke about what it was like to come out to her conservative parents
43M ago 
Checking the temperature of voters at the Iowa State Fair
Several Democratic presidential candidates made their way to Des Moines for the Iowa State Fair over the weekend. Ed O'Keefe caught up with a few of the voters there for the "CBS This Morning" series Three Meals
3H ago 
Justin Amash's district might abandon Trump, too
Rep. Justin Amash has sharply criticized the president and left the GOP, but it remains to be seen what his district will do
4H ago
Megan Rapinoe's dad probably voted for Trump
Rapinoe spoke about what it was like to come out to her conservative parents
43M ago 
Woodstock at 50, in the words, and music, of those who were there
A half-century after a mass of humanity converged on a farm in Bethel, N.Y. for three days of peace and music, musicians and concert-goers recall a unique moment for their generation
Aug 4 
"The Rock" and Lauren Hashian tie the knot
Johnson's former brother-in-law snapped photos of the happy couple during the seaside wedding
2H ago 
George R.R. Martin: "Game Of Thrones" TV show ending is "freeing"
"I don't think it was very good for me because the very thing that should have speeded me up actually slowed me down," Martin said
17H ago 
Sting, Trudie Styler, and a villa in Italy
The singer-musician and his wife bought the dilapidated, 400-year-old Il Palagio, in Tuscany, for a song or two, and have brought the olive groves, vineyards and vegetable gardens back to life
Aug 18 
Coming soon to Netflix: Movie trailers crafted by AI
Streaming giant is investing in tech that can automate part of the trailer-making process for its massive library
3H ago 
Funeral homes now live streaming memorial services
Roughly 20% of funeral homes in U.S. offer an online option to grieving family and friends who can't attend the event
Aug 15 
Overstock shares sink after CEO comments about "Deep State"
Investors are fleeing retailer Overstock after its CEO issued a bizarre statement about the "deep state" and "men in black"
Aug 15 
U.S. lawmaker joins international Facebook investigation
Rep. David Cicilline joins the International Grand Committee on Disinformation and "Fake News," as lawmakers from a dozen countries seek answers on election influencing
Aug 15 
WeWork filed its IPO â now meet its We Double
A Wyoming company with a Chinese address and $441 in the bank seems poised to benefit from WeWork's buzzy IPO
Aug 14
NASA program "OMG" trying to find out how fast Greenland's ice is melting
Ice lost in Greenland means higher sea levels around the world. "Oceans Melting Greenland," a NASA program in its fourth year, is studying the melt.
5H ago 
Activists mourn first Icelandic glacier lost to climate change
A memorial plaque was installed at the site of the former glacier, warning that "in the next 200 years all our glaciers are expected to follow the same path"
17H ago 
Rescued baby dugong dies of shock with a stomach full of plastic
"Her death will remind Thais and people all over the world not to dispose trash into the oceans," a Natural Resources and Environment Minister said
Aug 17 
NASA picks Alabama space center for moon lander program
The lander is a critical element in NASA's plans to return astronauts to the moon in 2024
Aug 16 
Varnish and rubber found in Arctic snow, according to study
The study postulated that the pollutants were potentially carried via air
Aug 15
Dog Goods USA recalls pig ears in 33-state outbreak of salmonella
Pet owners are urged to return pig ears sold under the Chef Toby brand amid reports of 127 people falling ill
1H ago 
Teen blames vaping after his lung collapses
As the CDC and state health departments investigate acute lung injuries possibly tied to e-cigarettes, one teen launches a social media campaign, #lunglove, against vaping
5H ago 
Thousands of veterans fear "burn pits" have exposed them to lethal disease
At some of military bases in Afghanistan, waste materials were disposed of in so-called "burn pits"
Aug 17 
Salmon caviar recalled due to botulism fears
Product sold in four states is possibly tainted with toxin that can cause life-threatening illness or death
Aug 16 
Tyson recalls chicken patties because of "extraneous matter"
Some consumers reported finding pieces of a mechanical seal or gasket in the Weaver fully cooked patties
Aug 16
Target launches private food label Good and Gather in grocery push
The retailer said the line of 650 new products will not include any artificial flavors or sweeteners
48M ago 
U.S. kids are quitting sports amid rising costs, inequality
Youth sports participation is rising among richer families, as children lower down the ladder exit the field
Aug 15 
34% of economists expect a recession in 2021
The good news for Americans? Fewer forecasters think a serious downturn is likely to hit next year
4H ago
Dog Goods USA recalls pig ears in 33-state outbreak of salmonella
Pet owners are urged to return pig ears sold under the Chef Toby brand amid reports of 127 people falling ill
1H ago
Coming soon to Netflix: Movie trailers crafted by AI
Streaming giant is investing in tech that can automate part of the trailer-making process for its massive library
3H ago 
Crime
NYPD fires cop involved in Eric Garner death
New York City's police commissioner has fired a police officer involved in the 2014 death of an unarmed black man. Police Commissioner James O'Neill had been deliberating whether to accept a disciplinary judge's recommendation that Officer Daniel Pantaleo be fired for using a banned chokehold on Eric Garner. Attorney Vinoo Varghese joined CBSN to discuss the decision.
updated 3M ago 03:30 
America's deadliest mass shootings
These are the deadliest mass shootings in American history
Aug 5 40 photos
NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo fired in 2014 Eric Garner chokehold death
New York City's police commissioner fires officer involved in 2014 death of unarmed black man
updated 35M ago 
Prince "appalled" by Epstein sex abuse claims
Britain's Prince Andrew is denying any involvement in Jeffrey Epstein's alleged sex trafficking ring. The royal family released a statement saying the Duke of York is "appalled" by the scandal. Leaked video from 2010 appears to show Prince Andrew at Epstein's Manhattan mansion. CBS News foreign correspondent Charlie D'Agata reports from London, and attorney Deborah Blum joined CBSN to discuss the latest developments.
2H ago 07:41 
Police charge Ohio man with plotting attack on Jewish center
An avowed white nationalist is expecting to be arraigned today in Ohio after allegedly plotting a mass shooting against Jews. Police arrested 20-year-old James Reardon. At least two more alleged shooting plots in other states have been broken up in the past week. Meg Oliver reports.
5H ago 02:44 
Space
NASA's step forward in new moon plan
NASA has moved a step closer in resuming human space missions since the program was shuttered in 2011. CBS News' Marc Liverman reports from Huntsville, Alabama, where NASA announced it will manage the building of the new human lunar lander.
22H ago 01:49
NASA picks Alabama space center for moon lander program
The lander is a critical element in NASA's plans to return astronauts to the moon in 2024
Aug 16 
Milky Way black hole emits mysterious light flare
Scientists spot a flare of light coming from a black hole in the Milky Way. Syracuse University physics professor Duncan Brown explains to CBSN how the mysterious event may have occurred.
Aug 15 06:27 
Dream Chaser spaceplanes to launch on Vulcan rocket
Sierra Nevada Corp. picks ULA's Vulcan rocket to boost Dream Chaser spaceplanes into orbit
Aug 14 
Our galaxy's black hole suddenly flashed a bright light
Scientists called the flashes "unprecedented"
Aug 15 
Jason Corbett murder: A look at the evidence
In August 2015, former FBI agent Tom Martens and his daughter Molly Corbett admitted killing her Irish-born husband Jason Corbett, insisting they beat him in self-defense with a brick paver and a baseball bat because Jason was choking Molly and threatening to kill her
Aug 17 11 photos 
Michael Gargiulo case: Stabbing deaths of three women linked to suspected serial killer
Investigators link murders of Tricia Pacaccio, Ashley Ellerin and Maria Bruno to same suspect: Michael Gargiulo
Aug 15 13 photos 
The worst movies of 2019
The worst films of the year star big name actors, including Keanu Reeves, Anne Hathaway, and Chris Hemsworth.
Aug 9 51 photos 
The Oddities & Curiosities Expo
A traveling exhibition of gothic and occult art, sideshow performers, and bizarre specimens stopped outside Chicago, where CBS News photographer Jake Barlow took in the odd sights
Jul 22 24 photos 
New York's Central Park
America's first major landscaped public park, the 840-acre park in Manhattan welcomes more than 37 million visitors every year
Jul 21 25 photos
Popular
NYPD fires cop involved in Eric Garner death
New York City's police commissioner has fired a police officer involved in the 2014 death of an unarmed black man. Police Commissioner James O'Neill had been deliberating whether to accept a disciplinary judge's recommendation that Officer Daniel Pantaleo be fired for using a banned chokehold on Eric Garner. Attorney Vinoo Varghese joined CBSN to discuss the decision.
updated 3M ago 03:30 
Author James Clear on building good habits
New York Times bestselling author James Clear explains to David Begnaud how you can build good habits and break bad ones.
updated 36M ago 12:06 
Stacey Abrams on Nancy Pelosi
Stacey Abrams is offering praise for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The Fair Fight 2020 founder and chair told CBSN she thinks the Democratic leader deserves an "A" rating.
1H ago 03:38 
A climate reckoning in the heartland
A historic flood in March 2019 left much of America's heartland under water. Grain farmers already struggling to bounce back from the Chinese trade war must now grapple with the realities of climate change that threaten to change the future of farming forever. Now, some farmers are implementing practices that could potentially reverse the effects of climate change â and provide a bigger profit. In this CBSN Originals documentary, Adam Yamaguchi travels to Nebraska, where he meets two farmers on different paths, both determined to pass their legacies on to the next generation.
Jul 26 23:07 
Stacey Abrams on White House run
Stacey Abrams said she won't be running for president in 2020, but that doesn't mean she never will. The Fair Fight 2020 founder and chair revealed to CBSN whether she'd accept an offer to be a running mate for one of the Democratic presidential candidates instead.
1H ago 03:09
