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.

Democrats set sights on Elon Musk probe after midterm wins, but Pritzker draws a surprising line

DeSantis blasts Washington Post over report he’s preparing 2028 presidential bid

Denver man found dead at bottom of national park canyon beneath steep drop-offs

US offers $20 million reward for information on Iran’s nuclear program

Trump highlights NASA nuclear-powered Mars spacecraft mission planned for 2028

SPLC was once suspected of more crimes than current charges show

Armed Illegal, Freed in Biden Era, Detained at White House

Meghan Markle’s Father Could Die in Prison If He’s Convicted on Child Porn Charges

NYC Woman Literally Vomits After Learning Slap on Wrist Given to Man Who Stabbed Her 22 Times in Front of Her Daughter, 3

Three States Carry Out Executions on the Same Day in Rare Occurrence

Newly Elected Congressional Democrat Due to Face Felony Charge in Court

Patriots Star Turns to Christ as He’s Hospitalized with ‘Unexpected and Unusual Medical Emergency’

Netanyahu says US aid cut makes way for ‘mutual investment’ amid unclear plans for military cooperation

Tesla Is ‘Winding Down’ Production of the Iconic Cybertruck in the Coming Year: Musk

Ron Johnson presses to delay Senate GOP leadership elections: ‘Political malpractice’

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.