HR 273119th CongressIn Committee

REMAIN in Mexico Act of 2025

Introduced: Jan 9, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

H.R. 273, introduced in the 119th Congress as the REMAIN in Mexico Act of 2025, directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to continue implementing the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as the Remain in Mexico policy. The bill requires DHS to carry out MPP in line with a specific DHS policy guidance memorandum from January 25, 2019, issued under Secretary Nielsen. In essence, the bill enshrines the continuation of MPP and ties it to the 2019 guidance, overriding other legal provisions to the extent of any conflict. The primary aim appears to be maintaining a policy that requires certain asylum-seekers to remain in Mexico while their U.S. asylum proceedings are processed.

Key Points

1Short title: The act is titled the REMAIN in Mexico Act of 2025 (official shorthand: Return Excessive Migrants and Asylees to International Neighbors in Mexico Act of 2025).
2Directive to DHS: The Secretary of Homeland Security must continue to implement the Migrant Protection Protocols.
3Policy guidance reference: DHS must implement MPP in accordance with the January 25, 2019 memorandum titled “Policy Guidance for Implementation of the Migrant Protection Protocols.”
4Overrides other laws: The act states, “Notwithstanding any other provision of law,” DHS must implement MPP as specified, giving the policy priority over conflicting provisions.
5Scope and details: The text provided does not include funding, timelines, definitions, or additional operational specifics beyond directing continued implementation per the 2019 guidance.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Migrants and asylum seekers subject to MPP, particularly those encountered at or near the U.S.-Mexico border who would be required to wait in Mexico for U.S. immigration proceedings. DHS and U.S. immigration courts would carry forward the processing framework under MPP.Secondary group/area affected: Mexican government and border cities where returned migrants would reside temporarily; U.S. border officials and related agencies; non-governmental organizations and humanitarian groups involved with migrant aid and legal assistance.Additional impacts: The policy could influence asylum processing timelines and case backlogs, intergovernmental coordination with Mexico, and the broader policy debate over asylum legality and migrant safety. The use of a “notwithstanding” clause indicates the bill seeks to ensure MPP remains in place even if other laws or administrations attempt to change or restrict it, potentially creating legal and constitutional debates.

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