San Antonio Standard

Congressman Tony Gonzales, representing Texas's 23rd district, has introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to reinstate the "Remain in Mexico" policy, also known as the Migrant Protection Protocols. This initiative is a collaboration with Congressman Brandon Gill from Texas's 26th district.

The "Remain in Mexico" policy was initially implemented by former President Trump's administration in January 2019. It allows the U.S. government to send foreign individuals who have illegally crossed the southern border back to Mexico while they await their immigration proceedings. The new legislation seeks to mandate the Secretary of Homeland Security to reimplement these protocols based on guidance from a 2019 Homeland Security memorandum.

Gonzales emphasized his commitment due to his representation of a large border district affected by current immigration policies. He stated, “I have the honor and responsibility of representing the largest border district in Congress. All 29 counties I serve have been turned upside down by the dire situation President Biden’s disastrous border policies." He added that during Trump's tenure, "Americans were protected from this madness," attributing part of that protection to the Remain in Mexico policy.

Ryan Walker, Executive Vice President at Heritage Action, supported this legislative move stating: “The Biden administration’s outrageous open border policies have destroyed our immigration system, abandoned the rule of law, and harmed millions of American citizens." Walker further remarked that Republicans are acting on their promise to secure borders following their electoral mandate last November.