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.

CBP officers seize nearly 850 pounds of khat packed into 12 suitcases after flight from London

Alina Habba shuts down speculation she could replace Karoline Leavitt as White House press secretary

Pennsylvania State Police helicopter, small plane collide in midair, killing 1 and injuring 2 state troopers

Missouri judge hands Trump, GOP major redistricting win ahead of midterm elections

Idaho county probation officers compile ‘foreign-born list’ to hand over to ICE as critics raise alarms

Chinese national in blue state charged with illegally voting in federal election under another man’s name: DOJ

Parents seek six figures from surrogate who refused abortion after baby’s heart diagnosis: report

WNBA Subreddit Bans Fans from Even Mentioning Sophie Cunningham After Her Defense of Women’s Sports

Man Once Given ‘Outstanding Refugee’ Award by Minnesota Charged in Massive Medicaid Fraud Scheme

Trump threatens ‘unprecedented’ economic consequences for any nation aiding Iran

Police Report Reveals New Details in Hayden Panettiere’s Death: Ex-Boyfriend and ‘Very Emotional’ Brother Were at Scene

Painful: Watch Darline Graham Completely Blank During Debate, Catastrophically Implode on Simple Nat’l Security Question

El-Sayed reveals he would go ‘step further’ than Sanders on socialist plan for major US industry

Pollster Who Had Thanksgiving-Hating Socialist Up 23 Points Closes Up Shop, Admits to Bungling Wisconsin Race

Colorado black bear dies after becoming trapped inside unlocked car for days: report

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.