On May 10, the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a joint DHS/EOIR statement on the rescheduling of MPP hearings. This statement changed prior DHS procedures without adequate notice to affected migrants or their attorneys, adding confusion to the already opaque and unconstitutional Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), commonly referred to as “Remain in Mexico.” These new procedures create more confusion and instability for the thousands of asylum seekers waiting for their U.S. immigration court hearings in violent and dangerous conditions in Mexico.
This statement announced that in-person document service has been stopped. Individuals who show up on their scheduled date through June 8th will not be receiving new tear sheets, which allow people subject to MPP to live and work in Mexico while waiting for their court hearings.
DOJ/EOIR is directing individuals with a hearing prior to June 22 to present themselves at the port of entry identified on their tear sheet one month later than the date indicated on their most recently noticed date. For example, if the hearing date is May 10, individuals should present themselves on June 10th.
If the rescheduled date is on a weekend, then individuals should appear the following Monday.
For individuals with a hearing date of June 22 or after, there is no change in procedures and individuals should report as instructed on their tear sheets.