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.

Detransitioner Wins Multi-Million Dollar Medical Malpractice Case That Could Lead to the End of So-Called ‘Gender Affirming Care’

Illegal immigrant in Florida charged with arson, felony criminal mischief, sheriff says

Federal agents arrest 2 more in connection to Minnesota church storming

Biden-Appointed Federal Judge Smacks Down Minnesota’s Attempt to Block ICE Crackdown

Arizona man accused of human smuggling is a repeat offender who once ‘threw rocks’ at Army helicopter: docs

DOJ ramps up focus on violent agitators in Minnesota as resignations strain fraud cases

Groundhog Day: Punxsutawney Phil makes 140th weather prediction

Where things stand with the government shutdown and how soon it could end

House panel moves to consider criminal referrals for the Clintons

How Fulton County’s election wars escalated into an FBI raid

Greenland independence could make the island a major US ally, activist argues

Shooting in Georgia hotel room leaves 1 officer killed, another seriously wounded: ‘Unprovoked attack’

Portland mayor demands ICE leave city after federal agents use tear gas on protesters ‘Sickening decisions’

ICE halts ‘all movement’ due to measles at Texas detention center that held 5-year-old, dad

California AG sues hospital that ended gender transition treatment for minors to comply with Trump policies

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.