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.

Trump says Iran deal ‘largely negotiated’ as 84-day war nears possible end

Newsom declares state of emergency in Orange County as failing chemical tank nears catastrophic explosion

Breaking: US-Iran Peace Deal Nearly Reached

RFK Jr announces ‘largest autism fraud bust in American history’ with $46.6M Medicaid scheme indictment

US Army hits 2026 recruiting goals four months early, Pete Hegseth announces at West Point commencement

Breaking: Kyle Busch’s Family Reveals Cause of Death

EXCLUSIVE: Trump-backed military vet mocked for disability ahead of Memorial Day: ‘Most shameful thing’

What One Illinois Town Says About The Current State Of America

Instant Noodle Product Recalled After Life-Threatening Allergens Detected

Possible Statue of Pharaoh Who Moses May Have Confronted Discovered in Egypt

Sanders-backed gubernatorial hopeful’s past pro-life views clash with current abortion stance

Trump Issues Forceful Defense of His Anti-Weaponization Fund as Senate Republicans Balk

Military families want DOJ to distribute nearly $800M from French cement company found guilty of bribing ISIS

‘Moderate’ Dem’s unearthed ‘deconstruct’ law enforcement comments draw fire from GOP critics

Inside the rise of hardship politics as wealthy Democrats eye 2028

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.