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.

Tyler Robinson preliminary hearing: Judge orders redactions to ex-lover’s video testimony

Social media influencer and model, 22, killed in violent highway crash

Trump threatens troop withdrawals if ‘very good deal’ on Greenland isn’t struck

House Dem back in the spotlight as brother faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted

Platner drops out of crucial Senate race after bombshell rape allegation torpedoes campaign

Franklin Graham Gives McDonald’s ‘Free Advice’ on How to ‘Bring Happy Customers Back’

Who is Valli Geiger? Meet the Maine Dem that Platner urged to run for Senate

Mike Rowe Sues Discovery for $2 Million in ‘Deadliest Catch’ Dispute

Erika’s Heartbreaking Reaction to a Woman She Saw in the Courtroom Crying Over Charlie’s Murder

Former Wisconsin Judge Who Was Convicted of Helping an Illegal Alien Evade ICE Gets Light Sentence

Bernie-backed socialist who allied with Platner could supplant him on ballot

WATCH: Dana White drops 2028 hints while raving about his favorite Trump cabinet secretary

Donald Trump sparks intrigue by ditching new Qatari jet for old Air Force One

Potential 2028 Dem contender unloads on Netanyahu, admits US-Israel ties at ‘crossroads’

Trump contemplates assassinating more Iranian leaders, warns he ‘may be gone too’ after topping Tehran’s ‘kill list’

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.