If enacted, this bill would significantly impact the current asylum processes and broader immigration policies in the United States, particularly concerning how individuals seeking refuge in the U.S. from Canada are treated. By deploying MPP at the northern border, the bill asserts that asylum seekers would be returned to Canada while their claims are processed, thus potentially reducing the number of individuals entering the U.S. as they await the adjudication of their cases.
Summary
House Bill 7739, titled the 'Remain in Canada Act of 2024,' seeks to mandate the implementation of the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) specifically at the northern border of the United States. This legislative move is aimed at aligning the treatment of asylum seekers at the Canadian border with the existing protocols at the southern U.S. border. The bill places the responsibility for this implementation on the Secretary of Homeland Security and refers to past memoranda that provided guidelines on the enforcement of MPP.
Contention
The proposal has sparked debate among lawmakers and advocacy groups, with supporters arguing that it is essential for maintaining border security and deterring illegal immigration. They assert that consistent application of MPP across borders will improve the overall integrity of the immigration system. Conversely, opponents argue that implementing such protocols at the northern border might infringe on the rights of asylum seekers and could expose them to dangers in Canada while they await their hearings. There is considerable concern regarding the humanitarian implications of such a policy change, as critics highlight past issues faced by asylum seekers under MPP.
Reaffirming the deep and steadfast United States-Canada partnership and the ties that bind the two countries in support of economic and national security.