U.S. to restart Trump-era border program forcing asylum seekers to wait in Mexico

A member of BORSTAR observes the border wall in New Mexico
FILE PHOTO: A member of the Border Patrol’s Search, Trauma, and Rescue Unit (BORSTAR) observes the border wall in Sunland Park, New Mexico, U.S., July 15, 2021. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez

The Biden administration will restart a controversial Trump-era border program that forces asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for U.S. immigration hearings, in keeping with a federal court order, U.S. and Mexican officials said on Thursday.

The United States will take steps to address Mexico’s humanitarian concerns with the program, the officials said, including offering vaccines to migrants and exempting more categories of people deemed vulnerable.