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.

Father of 10-year-old boy breaks silence after viral beach rescue: ‘No way I could ever repay him’

Trump says he ‘disagrees 100%’ with U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro over Reflecting Pool case

Assisted living sent resident to doctor’s appointment after giving him 18 shots, 5 am beer: officials

Mamdani extends deadline for NYC homeowners to seek exemption from new pied-à-terre tax

DSA candidate pushes federal AI data center moratorium with Michigan early voting underway

Trump immigration agenda faces setback as Obama-appointed judge issues fresh TPS stay

Israeli president says Palestinian peace ‘requires’ acceptance of Israel in warning against Mamdani

New Christian Persecution Report Shows Most Dangerous Countries on Earth for Believing in Jesus

Why Gen Z Is Breaking This Longtime Workplace Taboo

Reporter’s Notebook: Why Fauci’s 111 Fifth Amendment pleas could end up before the courts

Trump blasts rogue GOP senators for blocking Blanche nomination, vows anti-weaponization bill fight

Trump Says AI Data Centers Pledge Will Make Power Bills ‘Actually Come Down’

Parents Who Starved Their 75-Day-Old Baby to Death Will Get No Jail Time After Guilty Plea – Guess Who the Judge Is

Fauci’s Fifth fuels vow to haul him into court ‘every day’ despite Biden pardon

‘Like Graham Platner But Worse’: GOP Group Vows $42M Campaign Against Last-Minute Replacement Democrat

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.