Goodlatte Statement on Secretary Nielsen’s Announcement

Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) today delivered the following statement following Department of Homeland Security’s Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen’s announcement on the U.S. agreement with Mexico that asylum seekers coming from Mexico will remain in Mexico while their asylum claims are being processed.

Chairman Goodlatte: “Congratulations to the Trump Administration and specifically the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State for negotiating this agreement to help maintain the integrity of our asylum system. This agreement made under statutory authority will enable true asylum seekers to seek that status in a safe and orderly manner. It will discourage people from making the dangerous trip to our southwest border based on the belief they will automatically be allowed into the country, be given work authorization, and be permitted to remain here throughout the asylum adjudication process, which often takes years.”

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