Donald Trump Closes Southern Border to Migrants, Asylum Seekers

President Donald Trump has ordered border agencies to quickly return all migrants from Mexican territory, regardless of routine asylum laws, according to the New York Times.

The New York Times, citing information from four administration officials, said:

The Trump administration plans to immediately turn back all asylum seekers and other foreigners attempting to enter the United States from Mexico illegally, saying the nation cannot risk allowing the coronavirus to spread through detention facilities and border patrol agents.

But under the new rule, set to be announced in the next 48 hours, border patrol agents would immediately return anyone to Mexico — without any detainment and without any due process — who attempts to cross the southwestern border between the legal ports of entry. They would not be held for any length of time in an American facility.

The decision reduces the danger that the coronavirus will be brought into ICE detention centers by additional migrants.

GOP caps turbulent week, pointing finger at White House for immigration bill blunder

Army cuts helicopters, pushes ‘Amazon for war’ as drone combat reshapes military

Massive SPLC-linked grant under fire as watchdog exposes ties to middle school programs

DOJ bolsters South Florida team investigating alleged anti-Trump conspiracy

Fox News True Crime Newsletter: Alex Murdaugh’s new defense, Luigi Mangione’s decision, Tyler Robinson’s fight

Rep. Tom Kean Jr. says he expects to return to Congress ‘in the next couple of weeks’ after missing 100 votes

Teen suspect tied to 12 attacks in chaotic Austin shooting spree identified as illegal alien

More than 300 arrested in sprawling California crackdown on child exploitation crimes

Former US attorney charged with felony hit-and-run after Houston crash, police say

Plan for Trump’s ‘Triumphal Arch’ Clears Another Important Hurdle with DC Commission Approval

Texas congressional candidate claims she never called for ‘internment camps’ after party leaders condemn her

UK Cops Handcuffed Dying Stabbing Victim for Racially Insulting Sikh Who Allegedly Stabbed Him

Watch: ‘Survivor’ Host’s Awkward Blunder During Live Finale Spoils Results

Breaking: NASCAR Champion Kyle Busch Dead at Age 41

DHS touts millions of illegal immigrant departures as border crossings drop 94% under Trump

The short report does not explain the legal rationale for the decision, which puts a final closure on the much-diminished 2019 inflow from Central America. But Section 212(f) of the 1965 immigration act says:

Whenever the President finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, he may by proclamation, and for such period as he shall deem necessary, suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem to be appropriate.

Business groups strongly dislike this 212(f) rule, which can raise Americans’ wages by choking off the flow of blue-collar migrants into Americans’ workplaces during a growing economy.

The southern border will stay open for Americans, foreigners with proper documents, and for trade, the New York Times continued:

The administration officials said the ports of entry would remain open to American citizens, green-card holders and foreigners with proper documentation. Some foreigners would be blocked, including Europeans currently subject to earlier travel restrictions imposed by the administration. The points of entry will also be open to commercial traffic.

The New York Times‘ report was also silent about the northern border, which is open to many of the travelers from China who have been welcomed by the Canadian government during the last several weeks.