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.

RNC chair predicts first-ever midterm convention will turn Dallas into ‘Trumpapalooza’ for 2026 fight

WATCH: Obama, Harris advisor warns ‘betrayed’ Black voters could be Texas Senate candidate’s kryptonite

Taylor Swift’s wedding secrecy went so far some guests still didn’t know location days before ceremony: source

Smarter Systems, Safer Missions: AI, Autonomy and the Warfighter

Prominent Attorneys Form Team Aimed at Overturning Karmelo Anthony’s Murder Conviction

Alert: Names Will Be Named – House Adopts Massive Resolution on Sexual Misconduct Slush Fund Recipients

One of America’s oldest manufacturers says AI is creating jobs — not replacing them

EXCLUSIVE: Millions of newborns to receive special Social Security cards celebrating America’s 250th birthday

‘I Am a Ruined Man’ – Japanese World Cup Tourist Gets Trapped in Hilarious Cycle – Won’t Say No to a Gift, So Free ‘Gift’ Chips Won’t Stop Coming at Mexican Restaurant

Trump honors Village People and ‘Y.M.C.A.’ singer Victor Willis after death announcement

‘Experts’ Stumped About How Trump Proved Them Wrong on Oil Prices: ‘It’s the Weirdest Thing’

Trump faces ‘worst-case scenario’ on birthright citizenship after Supreme Court shuts door on executive, legislative fixes

Harris-backed Democrat scrubs BLM-era posts as House campaign heats up

America’s favorite beers — and the jobs tied to them — are at the center of a brewing trade fight

1,000 days after Oct. 7, Israel’s military successes come at the cost of global isolation

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.