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.

Retired Air Force Major General with Links to UFO Researcher Goes Missing – Search Underway

Legalize prostitution effort left candidate ‘shocked’ in blue state with rampant human trafficking

WATCH: Democratic Lawmaker Calls ‘Moms for Liberty’ a ‘Terrorist Group’ Then Doubles Down After Being Called Out

Old Dominion University shooter identified as Mohamed Jalloh, former National Guard member, ISIS supporter

FBI held active shooter training at Michigan synagogue weeks before attack

Manchin rips Cornyn for filibuster flip as Texas GOP runoff looms

Schumer swings at Hegseth over king crab meals for the troops, but Biden-era receipts show similar tab

Trump’s evolving stance on Iran ‘unconditional surrender’

Dems vote to keep DHS closed despite airport chaos, Iranian sleeper cell threat

BREAKING: Man Intentionally Rams Vehicle Into Michigan Synagogue and Opens Fire

Watch: Scott Jennings Calls on Internet to Fact-Check His CNN Colleague’s Insane Claim About Pete Hegseth

FBI responds to attack on Temple Israel synagogue in Michigan

Trump-backed affordable housing overhaul clears Senate, while House GOP raises red flags

Clyburn, 85, bucks Democrat generational revolt with bid for 18th term in Congress

New Bill to Ban Abortion Pill Hits Senate

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.