Statement on the One Year Anniversary of the MPP Program

 January 28, 2020

The Round Table of Former Immigration Judges is comprised of former immigration judges who are dedicated to due process in the immigration system.  As former immigration judges, we understand the inherent limitations on due process in an immigration court system that is housed in the Department of Justice, a prosecutorial agency within the Executive Branch of the government.  This administration has systematically attacked due process in the immigration court system through new rules, memoranda, and policies.  However, the largest assault to due process is the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) program.  MPP prevents access to the court, to counsel, and to resources refugees need to effectively present their cases. The limitations on due process in MPP are not incidental to the program, they are intentional.  

In addition to the elimination of due process in MPP, the government is putting vulnerable refugees in grave danger.  Refugees are forced to wait in dangerous border towns in Mexico without any protection or resources.  As with the elimination of due process, the state created danger generated by MPP is intentional.  It is part of the government’s attempt to eliminate access to asylum.  

The Round Table of Former Immigration Judges calls for the elimination of MPP immediately, demands that the administration take efforts to locate the thousands of individuals who were prevented from appearing at their hearings, and that all in absentia removal orders in MPP cases be rescinded sua sponte.

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Thanks to Former Immigration Judge Ilyce Shugall of our Round Table of Former Immigration Judges for her leadership in shining a light on this urgent and despicable policy. - JSC