Michel Marizco

Sairi Lemus fled Guatemala and was waiting in Mexicali for her asylum hearing in a month.

The concept was basic: Asylum seekers would be interviewed by immigration officials on the U.S. side of the border but then would be required to wait in Mexico.

Last month, the plan was rolled out in Mexicali, just across from the California border.

Sairi Lemus is a mother of three who fled after extortionists targeted her in Guatemala and waited in Mexicali last week.

"Nos mandaron lo que es esperar aqui, la cita para el 8 de mayo con el juez alla en San Ysidro," she said.

She had an interview with a judge on the U.S. side scheduled for May 8, she said.

Hours before she resigned, Homeland Security Sec. Kirstjen Nielsen ordered the program to be expanded beyond the California and Texas borders. Presumably, that meant Arizona. Now it’s unclear whether the incoming secretary will appeal to end the injunction.