Senate Homeland Security committee debates reinstating 'Remain in Mexico'; resolution passes 8-6

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Jan. 16 held a hearing on the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), commonly called "Remain in Mexico," and approved a resolution affirming that the president and the secretary of Homeland Security have legal authority to secure the southwest border, including steps to reinstate MPP.

The hearing brought competing views on whether the policy deters migration and improves U.S. security or instead enriches cartels and endangers migrants. The committee subsequently rejected an amendment offered by Ranking Member Gary Peters that would have required the administration to certify that any reinstatement would not increase kidnappings, extortion, trafficking or harm to children; that amendment failed 7–8. The resolution itself passed 8–6.

Why it matters: The debate bears on actions a new administration might take by executive order and on Congress's ability to set statutory limits or requirements. Witnesses and senators framed the issue as a mix of immigration law, border enforcement capacity,…