Two Trump administration officials told NBC News that the deal with Mexico’s recently elected government would force asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while U.S. courts process their claims. The officials added that operational and legal details are being worked out, and the deal is still at least few weeks away from going into effect.
First reported by the Washington Post, the plan is called “Remain in Mexico” and incoming Mexican officials considered it a “short-term solution.”
The plan to keep asylum seekers within Mexican borders would be a change from the current system that allows asylum seekers to remain in the U.S. while their cases are being processed in American courts. Its aim is to deter migrants from coming to the United States.
In a statement to NBC News later Saturday, Sánchez Cordero denied there was a deal.
“There is no agreement of any kind between the future federal government of Mexico and the United States of America,” she wrote. “The new government will begin its mandate on December 1.”
Sánchez Cordero added that the incoming government would be focused on protecting asylum seekers’ human rights and well being.
President Trump appeared to address the possible agreement on Twitter Saturday, saying, “Migrants at the Southern Border will not be allowed into the United States until their claims are individually approved in court.”
“We only will allow those who come into our Country legally,” Trump stated. “Other than that our very strong policy is Catch and Detain. No ‘Releasing’ into the U.S.”
The president added that he would shut down the border “if for any reason it becomes necessary.”
“President Trump has developed a strong relationship with the incoming Obrador Administration, and we look forward to working with them on a wide range of issues,” said White House Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley.
