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.

Details on Heavily Armed Person Roaming Golf Course Before Trump Visit Emerge, Notebook Seized

Disturbing: Gossip Columnist Perez Hilton Hospitalized After Harming Self on TikTok Live Stream

GOP governor endorses candidate challenging Trump-backed congressman in Republican US House primary

WATCH: Smithsonian director admits she sees history as ‘tool’ of ‘social justice’ in resurfaced 2025 clip

Marine veteran Las Vegas officer killed in shooting; armed suspect also dead

Democrats’ bitter civil war hits Michigan, but biggest prize still up for grabs

Trump warns Iran will be hit ‘really hard’ if nuclear negotiations collapse again

Socialist tenant organizer who blasted ‘sell-out Democrats’ loses Midwest primary

Dems rally behind Michigan prosecutor to champion party in crucial House race

Lindsay Clancy strikes evidence deal as fingerprint gap opens trial debate, expert says

Trump-backed candidate lands GOP nod, setting up high-stakes governor showdown

Big money propels Dem megachurch pastor to victory in longshot Kansas Senate bid

Mom of 4 recovering after suspected spider bite leads to severe complications: reports

Meet the Democrats hoping to flip Virginia’s most competitive House seats in November

Police hunt teen accused of killing Citadel cadet and childhood friend, warn of ‘armed and dangerous’ suspect

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.