‘The tide is turning’: Push to codify key Trump-era policy engages dozens of co-sponsors, including Democrats
FIRST ON FOX: A bill to restore the Trump era “Stay in Mexico” the policy, recently introduced in the House of Representatives, is gathering co-sponsors as it becomes the latest immigration bill to receive bipartisan support in the House.
Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, a freshman lawmaker, introduced the Stay in Mexico Act this month.
The law would require Department of Homeland Security to reinstate the Migrant Protection Protocol, which was introduced during the first Trump administration and required migrants to wait in Mexico until their asylum cases were heard, part of an effort to end the practice known as “catch and release.” The protocols were scrapped by the Biden administration, which argued they were cruel and ineffective.
TRUMP’S STAY IN MEXICO POLICY COULD BE REVIVED UNDER NEW GOP BILL
Then-President Donald Trump, left, speaks with U.S. Border Patrol chief Rodney Scott as they participate in a ceremony to mark the 200th mile of the border wall on the international border with Mexico in San Luis, Arizona, June 23, 2020. (SAUL LOEB/AFP)
President Donald Trump signed an order requiring the protocol to be reinstated, but codifying the policy in federal law would make it much more difficult for critics to then repeal it under another administration.
However, with the bill now before Congress, it has already gained more than 100 co-sponsors, Fox News Digital was told. That includes two Democrats, Rep. Marie Glusenkamp Perez, D-Wash., and Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine.
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“I am overwhelmed with gratitude that more than a hundred of my colleagues have shown bipartisan support for my REMAIN in Mexico Act that codifies President Trump’s executive border action into law,” Gill said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
President Donald Trump has made the security of the southern border a top priority of his administration. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci | Christian Torres/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“The tide is changing under President Trump — Congress knows we must strengthen our national security, prevent fraudulent asylum claims and put our citizens first,” he said.
TRUMP WILL MAKE HUNDREDS OF ARRESTS, INCLUDING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARRESTED FOR HORRIFIC CRIMES
The bill is one of a number of pieces of immigration legislation that have been introduced, with growing signs of Democratic support after a year in which illegal immigration was a major issue for voters and resulted in Republicans controlling the House, Senate and White House.
On Wednesday evening, the House passed Laken Riley Actwhich requires the detention of illegal immigrants accused of theft-related crimes. It was previously passed by the Senate. In the House of Representatives, 46 Democrats voted for it.
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The House is expected to be active on illegal immigration, reflecting a flurry of orders coming from the White House. Those orders include declaring a national emergency on the border, sending troops to the border and ending a number of Biden-era parole programs.
