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.

Dem fundraising giant ActBlue rocked by allegations it misled Congress about foreign donations

US pilot rescued from downed F-15E fighter jet in Iran, search for second crew member ongoing

Don Lemon Teases His Presidential Run Depends on God, Who He Insists is Female: ‘If She Gives Me a Sign’

Feds charge illegal immigrant in Loyola student killing as attorney says prosecutors lack ‘faith’ in state

Breaking: Labor Report Blows Economists Away – 3 Times as Many New Jobs Added as Projected

WATCH: House Democrat gets unexpected response when he asks constituents about voter ID requirements

DHS preps deportation of alleged MS-13 gang member wanted for pastor’s murder in El Salvador

What B-52 bombers bring to the Iran fight and more top headlines

Trump’s $1 billion presidential library expected to dwarf all predecessors

‘Local independent’ outlet in Virginia pushing redistricting is owned by Democratic operatives

VP Vance to meet with Viktor Orbán in Hungary days ahead of foreign nation’s elections

Celebrity chef lashes out at Trump for changing the ‘rules’ the same year as America 250

Colorado House advances conversion therapy lawsuit bill; GOP lawmaker calls it ‘slap in the face’ to SCOTUS

Artemis II crew describes life aboard Orion spacecraft on historic journey to the moon and back

Erika Kirk and Karoline Leavitt talk free thinking and faith at TPUSA college tour kickoff

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.