WASHINGTON—Chad Wolf, former acting homeland security secretary and Heritage Foundation visiting fellow, released the following statement Wednesday in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that the Biden administration must reinstate the Migrant Protection Protocols, also known as the “Remain in Mexico” policy, for the time being as the policy is litigated:  

“The Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) were one of the most effective policies in solving the 2019 border crisis, and reducing the unprecedented flood of fraudulent asylum claims being made at the southern border. The policy required illegal aliens to wait in Mexico while their asylum claims were adjudicated, rather than being released into the United States on the promise they would show up for their court date—something the majority never did. We also know that the overwhelming majority—as many as 90%—of illegal aliens applying for asylum do not qualify for it under the law. MPP made clear that this form of catch-and-release was no longer acceptable, and as a result, fraudulent asylum claims at the border drastically declined.   

 

“Fraudulent asylum claims were overwhelming the system in 2019, and once again are today thanks to President Biden’s self-inflicted, far worse crisis. Meanwhile, individuals who do meet the criteria for refuge under U.S. law will face a backlog filled with those fraudulent claims. MPP is essential to a functioning humanitarian system and to America’s national security. It is a welcome development that the Supreme Court has delivered this rebuke to the Biden administration, and a win for any American concerned about the Biden border crisis.”