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.

Ex-Dem Legislator Arrested Over Child Porn, But It’s 7 Words from FBI Investigator That Will Make You Sick to Your Stomach

Hunter Biden Blasts CNN’s Jake Tapper as a ‘Poor Journalist’ and a Terrible Person in NSFW Comments

Dem’s stunning ideal standard for immigration detention conditions resurfaces amid Texas senate bid

Secret Service agent on JD Vance’s detail investigated for allegedly leaking operational security info

Video: Trump Greets Fallen Heroes at Dignified Transfer for Troops Killed in Iran Conflict

GOP rallies around Thune after White House says Trump’s patience is ‘running out’

Six-figure private security bill for top Dem Senate hopeful fuels GOP hypocrisy claims

Former Biden Admin Official Roasts Kamala’s 2028 Chances on Fox News: ‘She Follows’

Defense industry leaders align with Trump admin plans in closed-door strategy session on Iran war funding

Justice Department withdraws subpoenas to New York Times reporters

Nancy Guthrie mystery: ‘Today’ show intruder sparks security shakeup at NBC studio

WATCH: ‘Shocking’ Ben Franklin smear leaves Smithsonian chief with ‘no regrets’

Former CIA Director James Woolsey, Who Served Under Clinton and Later Advised Trump, Dies at 84

Vance Boelter sentenced for shootings of Minnesota lawmakers and spouses

Montana Teen Says God Coached Him As He Used a Lasso Rope to Save Man from Drowning

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.