FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 28, 2020 

Government Accountability Project Commends Appeals Decision on “Remain in Mexico” Policy

U.S. Court of Appeals Halts Dangerous Immigration Policy 

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit blocked the Trump administration’s “Migrant Protection Protocols,” (MPP) also known as the “Remain in Mexico” policy. The policy required non-Mexican asylum seekers to be returned to Mexico for the duration of their immigration proceedings. Asylum seekers faced numerous threats of violence and kidnapping in Mexico while living in squalid migrant resettlement camps.  

Government Accountability Project represents Doug Stephens, a former asylum officer, who, after conducting five MPP interviews, quit his position rather than implement the policy he views as violating national and international laws and treaties. Government Accountability Project also represents the American Federal of Government Workers (AFGE) on whistleblowing matters, Local 1924, and Council 116. AFGE Union President Michael Knowles was represented by Government Accountability Project during his testimony before the House Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing on MPP last November.  

David Z. Seide, Senior Counsel at Government Accountability Project, applauded the ruling, 

“As counsel to the American Federation for Government Workers on whistleblower matters, Government Accountability Project commends the decision of the Court to stop sending vulnerable asylum seekers to Mexico, where their health, safety, and lives are at stake.”  

Contact: Andrew Harman, Director of Communications

Phone: (202) 457-0034 ext. 

Email: [email protected] 

Government Accountability Project

Government Accountability Project is the nation’s leading whistleblower protection organization. Through litigating whistleblower cases, publicizing concerns and developing legal reforms, the Government Accountability Project’s mission is to protect the public interest by promoting government and corporate accountability. Founded in 1977, Government Accountability Project is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C

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