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.

Dystopia: UK Woman Recalls Being Arrested by Multiple Officers for Hate Crime While She Was Naked, After Sending Harmless Text Message

Decomposed body found in Connecticut after standoff with man who opened fire at police

Adams issues orders blocking NYC from boycotting Israel as clash with Mamdani grows

US Institute of Peace officially renamed for Trump as White House moves to dismantle agency: ‘Congratulations’

Feds arrest felon illegal immigrant after seizing tens of millions in meth stashed in blackberries

Elderly Texas woman learns fate for distributing 150,000 doses of fentanyl through the mail

Model, DJ linked to violent Tren de Aragua gang leader sanctioned by Trump administration

Social media reactions reveal why both parties celebrated after GOP candidate won special election

Prince William Plans to ‘Slash and Burn’ Royal Establishment, Harry and Meghan: Report

Ghislaine Maxwell pushes back on full transparency for Epstein files

Trump warns US may launch land operations inside Venezuela ‘very soon,’ says regime sent ‘killers’ to America

Ex-CNN Anchor Who Quit News Industry Under Cloud of Controversy Is Now Dead

Americans want US to lead globally but doubt military can win major wars overseas, survey finds

The Tennessee ‘waltz’: Republicans and Democrats dance around meaning of special election results

Family Demands Answers After Texas A&M Student Mysteriously Dies After Football Tailgate

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.