Immigrants seeking asylum in the United States by entering through Mexico could be required to wait south of the border while U.S. courts assess their cases, a member of the incoming Mexican government said in an interview published Saturday.
Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Mexico’s president-elect, plans to implement a policy known as “Remain in Mexico” after taking office next month, his top domestic policy official told The Washington Post.
“For now, we have agreed to this policy of Remain in Mexico,” said Olga Sánchez Cordero, Mexico’s incoming interior minister, The Post reported.
Called a “short-term solution” by Ms. Sánchez Cordero, the pending policy change is expected to earn praise north of the border from President Trump, who has vowed to reform federal immigration policies since launching his 2016 campaign.
“The medium- and long-term solution is that people don’t migrate,” said Ms. Sánchez Cordero, The Washington Post reported. “Mexico has open arms and everything, but imagine, one caravan after another after another, that would also be a problem for us.”
Mr. Trump touched on the proposal later Saturday on Twitter, tweeting: “Migrants at the Southern Border will not be allowed into the United States until their claims are individually approved in court.
“We only will allow those who come into our Country legally. Other than that our very strong policy is Catch and Detain. No ’Releasing’ into the U.S…,” Mr. Trump tweeted Saturday evening.
“All will stay in Mexico. If for any reason it becomes necessary, we will CLOSE our Southern Border. There is no way that the United States will, after decades of abuse, put up with this costly and dangerous situation anymore!” Mr. Trump tweeted.
No formal agreement has been signed between countries yet, and the potential policy change is still pending, The Post reported.
• Andrew Blake can be reached at ablake@washingtontimes.com.
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