WASHINGTON ��Asylum-seekers in Mexico would be required to wait until their claims move through U.S. courts before the crossing the border, according to a plan that's won the support of Mexico's incoming government, the Washington Post reported.
The potential agreement would break long-standing rules and install new barriers for Central American migrants attempting to reach the U.S., the Post reported on Saturday, citing Mexican officials and senior members of President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's transition team that it didn't identify.
The plan, to be known as "Remain in Mexico," would require asylum applicants at the border to stay in Mexico while their cases are processed, potentially ending a system President Donald Trump calls "catch and release" that has until now generally allowed those seeking refuge to wait on safer U.S. soil, according to the Post.
White House spokesman Hogan Gidley didn't address the plan in a statement. A Mexican Foreign ministry spokesman declined to comment.
Historic
The deal shows that the Trump administration overcame Mexico's historic reluctance to deepen cooperation with the U.S. on an issue widely seen there as America's problem. According to the Post, no agreement has been signed and details are still under discussion.
The plan, if adopted, could deter people from attempting to migrate to the U.S. from Central America via Mexico. Trump deployed U.S. military forces to California, Arizona and Texas in recent weeks, and threatened to close busy border crossings after migrants traveling as part of a caravan forced their way onto Mexican soil last month.
Democrats and human rights activists are likely to be concerned about such a plan, and in the past have expressed concern it could put migrants at risk and make it more difficult for them to apply for asylum.
