CGRS Comment on Ninth Circuit Order in Remain in Mexico Challenge

Yesterday a federal court ruled once again that the Trump Administration’s policy of forcibly returning asylum seekers to Mexico is illegal and dangerous. After restoring a district court injunction against the so-called Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) last week, the Ninth Circuit is allowing the policy to continue temporarily as the government seeks Supreme Court review.

The court’s latest decision in Innovation Law Lab v. Wolf permits the government to continue MPP nationwide through March 11. After that the program will be blocked within the Ninth Circuit (California and Arizona), unless the Supreme Court grants a stay.

The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS), American Civil Liberties Union, and Southern Poverty Law Center brought the Innovation Law Lab lawsuit when the Administration launched MPP last year. CGRS Director Karen Musalo had this to say about the Ninth Circuit’s latest ruling in the case:

“The court’s decision clearly and unequivocally states that MPP is illegal, violating both U.S. and international law and inflicting ‘extreme and irreversible harm’ on our plaintiffs. CGRS will continue fighting for a permanent end to this inhumane and unlawful policy, which has caused untold pain and suffering for desperate asylum seekers fleeing persecution.”