DHS to open migrant processing facility at Nogales Port of Entry

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will begin processing migrants for return to Mexico under the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) at the Nogales Port of Entry.

This is the seventh port of entry where MPP returns will be made. Any migrants making illegal or entry at the Southwest Border may be returned to Mexico through one of these ports of entry to await their court proceedings. Previously, migrants in the Nogales region, near Tucson, were returned to Mexico through El Paso for processing.

The MPP program allows certain aliens to remain in Mexico while awaiting court proceedings in the United States. To date, more than 56,000 migrants have been returned to Mexico to await their immigration hearings.

“MPP has been an extremely effective tool as the United States, under the leadership of President Trump, continues to address the ongoing humanitarian and security crisis at the border,” DHS Acting Secretary Chad Wolf said. “The Department is fully committed to the program and will continually work with the Government of Mexico to expand and strengthen it. I am confident in the program’s continued success in adjudicating meritorious cases quickly and preventing fraudulent claims.”

MPP has been implemented and expanded in cooperation with the Government of Mexico.