Katko & Guest Statement on Supreme Court Order on “Remain in Mexico” Policy

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Rep. John Katko (R-NY), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Michael Guest (R-MS), Vice Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s order forcing the Biden administration to restore the Trump administration’s “Remain in Mexico” policy.

“While this is not a final ruling, we’re encouraged to see the U.S. Supreme Court order President Biden to resume the Trump administration’s ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy. Our nation faces a terrible crisis on the border as record numbers of migrants are illegally crossing the border, known or suspected terrorists are being encountered at levels never seen before, and U.S. Border Patrol agents are so understaffed only a dozen are left monitoring a 245-mile stretch of the border. The catch-and-release of hundreds of thousands of migrants into the interior is unacceptable, and we see it for what it is: an attempt at a politically expedient win for President Biden. However, the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy is a critical tool that has been proven to stem the influx of migrants flooding into our country.

“It’s time this administration get its homeland security priorities straight. We strongly urge the Biden administration, specifically the Department of Homeland Security, to reinstate and fully enforce this policy. Homeland Security Republicans will continue to conduct rigorous oversight of the reinstatement. Particularly now, as the threat of terrorists looking to exploit President Biden’s open border policies heightens and his disastrous foreign policy decisions have created a terrorist safe haven abroad, our U.S. Border Patrol must have every tool at its disposal to ensure the safety and security of our homeland.”

Background

• Ranking Member Katko blasted the administration’s thoughtless and short-sighted decision to end “Remain in Mexico” with no review or explanation.
• Vice Ranking Member Guest sent a letter to DHS Secretary Mayorkas calling for more transparency in the decision to terminate the “Remain in Mexico” policy.