Thinking Global Podcast: Shahram Khosravi – Borders and Migration
- In this episode of the Thinking Global podcast,we speak to Professor Shahram Khosravi about his work on autoethnography,personal narratives,the ethics of writing about others,Iran,border resistance and more.
- https://podcasts.ox.ac.uk/series/thinking-global/thinking-borders-shahram-khosravi
- You can also find the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other podcast platforms.
In this episode of the Thinking Global podcast,we speak to Professor Shahram Khosravi about his work on autoethnography,personal narratives,the ethics of writing about others,Iran,border resistance and more. Shahram is Professor of Social Anthropology at Stockholm University.
You can listen to the episode here:
https://podcasts.ox.ac.uk/series/thinking-global/thinking-borders-shahram-khosravi
You can also find the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other podcast platforms.
Show Notes
- Shahram’s book, Precarious Lives: Violent Times – Iranian Refugees in Sweden (Routledge, 2017)
- Shahram’s article, ‘The “illegal” migrant as a subject of government’ (Studies in Social Justice, 2017)
- Shahram’s article, ‘”I am here, therefore I think”: Iranian asylum seekers‘ narratives of belonging’ (Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 2011)
About the Podcast
Thinking Global is a podcast from the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Oxford. Each episode features an interview with a leading scholar on a pressing global issue. Presented and produced by Dr. Charlotte Jewell.
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What is the Migrant Protection protocols (MPP)?
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The Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as “Remain in Mexico,” is a U.S. immigration policy that requires certain non-citizens seeking asylum to wait in Mexico while their U.S. immigration cases are processed. The policy was initially implemented in January 2019 and considerably curtailed in February 2021, but was later reinstated in December 2023 following court orders.
MPP was designed to address what the Trump management described as loopholes in U.S. asylum law and to reduce the number of migrants released into the United States while their cases were pending.Critics argued the policy put asylum seekers in hazardous situations in Mexico, limiting their access to legal depiction and increasing their vulnerability to violence. The Biden administration initially attempted to end MPP, citing humanitarian concerns and the logistical challenges of safely implementing the program, but faced legal challenges from Texas and missouri.
On August 1, 2023, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Biden administration’s attempt to end MPP was unlawful. texas v. United States,22-40259. This ruling forced the administration to reinstate the program, albeit with some modifications intended to address previous concerns.
How MPP Works
under MPP, individuals arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border seeking asylum are assessed for eligibility. Those subject to MPP are returned to Mexico and must wait there for their scheduled U.S. court hearings. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provides notices to appear for their hearings, and migrants are generally allowed to re-enter the U.S. for their court dates. However, the process is often fraught with difficulties, including delays, confusion about hearing dates, and safety concerns in Mexican border cities.
The reinstated MPP program,as of December 2023,includes enhanced screening and enrollment procedures. DHS stated it would expand access to virtual check-ins and provide details about legal resources. Though,concerns remain about the capacity of Mexican authorities to adequately protect asylum seekers and the availability of legal aid.
According to a December 2023 statement from DHS, the department is enrolling individuals based on nationality and port of entry.DHS News Release. As of January 24, 2026, the program primarily applies to individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
legal Challenges and Changes to MPP
The Migrant Protection Protocols have faced numerous legal challenges since their inception. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other organizations filed lawsuits arguing that MPP violated U.S.immigration law and international human rights obligations. These lawsuits centered on claims that the policy endangered asylum seekers and denied them due process.
In June 2021, a federal judge ordered the Biden administration to reinstate MPP after texas and Missouri sued, arguing the administration’s termination of the program was unlawful. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld this decision in August 2023, leading to the current reinstatement of the policy. The Biden administration has continued to seek ways to modify and potentially end MPP, but faces ongoing legal hurdles.
The Supreme Court heard arguments regarding the legality of MPP in April 2023, but did not issue a definitive ruling on the merits of the policy itself.Supreme Court Docket. The Court ultimately dismissed the case on procedural grounds, leaving the Fifth Circuit’s ruling in place.
Current Status (as of January 24, 2026)
As of January 24, 2026, the MPP program is in effect, primarily applying to nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. The Biden administration continues to implement the program under court order, while concurrently exploring legal avenues to end it or further modify its implementation. Enrollment numbers fluctuate based on border conditions and Mexican government capacity.
According to data released by U.S.Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in December 2025, approximately 75,000 individuals had been enrolled in MPP as its reinstatement in December 2023. CBP Southwest