Republican lawmakers in both houses introduced legislation Thursday to resurrect the Migrant Protection Protocols, known as the "Remain in Mexico" program, a key immigration policy of President-elect Donald Trump in his first administration.

Senate lawmakers, in fact, held a hearing on the policy Thursday morning.

The policy implemented via executive order by Trump in 2019 was dismantled by President Joe Biden in 2021, replacing it with his "catch-and-release" policy that spurred the precipitous increase in illegal immigration.

Now, days ahead of Trump's inauguration, Republicans are laying the groundwork for its return, aiming to have the policy enshrined as federal law, the Washington Examiner reported. That would make it harder for a future president to undo it, much like Biden reversed Trump's executive order and replaced it with his own, opening the floodgates.

"Biden's first action upon taking office four years ago was to reverse President Trump's 'Remain in Mexico' policy," Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, who introduced the legislation "Make MPP Mandatory Act" in the House, said in a statement. "The consequences have proven deadly. My bill lays the groundwork to restore law and order and secure our nation by federally mandating that those awaiting a court date do so from their country of origin. We are a land of laws, it's time we act like it and put the safety of Americans first."

Williams' bill, along with those of freshman Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, and the CLEAR Act introduced by Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., would prevent the entry of illegal migrants and codify federal law to remove them.

"During his time in office, President Biden rolled back the successful 'Remain in Mexico' program, invited millions of illegal immigrants to flood our southern border, and refused to enforce the laws on the books," Blackburn said in a statement. "President Biden's failure to lead permitted lawlessness across the country and resulted in the murder of innocent Americans like Laken Riley. Both the CLEAR Act and the Make MPP Mandatory Act would strengthen border security and crack down on those who break our laws."

The CLEAR Act reaffirms the authority of state and local governments to enforce federal immigration laws by apprehending, detaining, or transferring illegal immigrants to federal custody. 

This story has been updated. 

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