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.

Karmelo Anthony trial consumed by race and self-defense, but hidden hurdle could be key: expert

Raman overtakes Spencer Pratt in razor-thin race, AP count shows, but race remains uncalled

Spencer Pratt falls behind Nithya Raman in LA mayoral race after latest vote update

Video captures fireworks exploding from burning trailer that shut down Interstate 75

Multiple people stabbed near Penn Station, leaving one seriously injured as investigation continues

US Forces Shoot Down Iranian Missiles Targeting Gulf Neighbors

Erika Kirk Shows Incredible Poise, Class After Heckler Screams Vile Insult

All 12 victims stable after shooting near festival as Toledo police pursue multiple leads

Trump Makes Large Investment in Specialty Restaurant Chain

Fast Food Manager Arrested for Disgusting Action Toward Customer’s Food

At 82, Marilyn Burns is still defining the American small business dream

Finland’s NATO nerves: A country on Russia’s doorstep wonders about the alliance’s future

Australia Has Launched $1.4B Lawsuit Against 3M Citing “Forever Chemicals”

Spencer Pratt’s runner-up edge over Democrat Raman down to 1%, few thousand ballots

‘Don’t let me be the guy that’s not funny anymore’: Jeff Foxworthy opens up on his possibly final special

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.