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.

NJ lawsuit claiming oil companies cause climate change dealt massive blow in court

West Point disbands gender-based, race clubs in Trump’s DEI sweep

‘High calling’: How Trump’s HUD secretary plans to tackle the housing crisis

USAID’s ‘long list of crap’: Karoline Leavitt cites millions in wasteful spending

Trump signs executive order ‘keeping men out of women’s sports’

House Democrat Moves to Impeach Trump for ‘Dastardly Deeds Proposed’

CEO son of ‘Silicon Valley pioneer’ arrested in alleged San Francisco attack

North Las Vegas Police officer killed in shootout with suspect, honored with procession

Mitch McConnell Suffers Multiple Falls at Capitol, Requires Assistance from Fellow Senators: Report

New York Democrat eyeing Stefanik’s seat ripped Border Patrol, corrections officers in resurfaced interview

USAID has ‘demonstrated pattern of obstructionism,’ claims top DOGE Republican in letter to Rubio

Trump Shocks in News Conference with Netanyahu: ‘US Will Take Over the Gaza Strip’

Man Tries Storming White House Grounds, Has Seconds Thoughts After Small Shadows Begin Moving on the Roof

Baltimore mayor doubling down on DEI with ‘Definitely Earned It’ campaign

Rand Paul recoils at Trump’s Gaza takeover plans: ‘I thought we voted for America First’

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.