Trump policy directs U.S. border agents to deport migrants without asylum hearings

CBS NEWS

Citing President Trump’s extraordinary move to close the American asylum system, U.S. border agents have been instructed to summarily deport migrants crossing into the country illegally without allowing them to request legal protection, according to internal government documents and agency officials.

Just hours after being sworn in, Mr. Trump invoked sweeping presidential authorities to bar the entry of migrants deemed to be participating in an “invasion” of the U.S., as well as those who may pose a public health or national security risk. He cited a provision of immigration law known as 212(f) that allows presidents to suspend the entry of foreigners whose entry is deemed to be “detrimental” to the U.S.

In that same proclamation, Mr. Trump cited his constitutional powers over foreign affairs to empower U.S. immigration officials to “repel, repatriate, or remove any alien engaged in the invasion across the southern border of the United States.”

Internal government documents indicate that, as of Tuesday night, the president’s “full” 212(f) authority was being implemented across Texas’ border with Mexico, making nearly all migrants who arrive at the border subject to quick expulsion. The documents cite the public health-related 212(f) authority that applies to “aliens that traveled through a country with a communicable disease.”

Mr. Trump’s edict also applies to Border Patrol coastal sectors, including the one in Florida, and the U.S.-Canada border. The documents indicate Canadian authorities will be asked to accept those who cross the northern border illegally, beyond those asylum claimants the U.S. and Canada already exchange under a “safe-third-country” agreement. 

Two Customs and Border Protection officials, who requested anonymity to discuss internal guidance, said migrants will not be allowed to see an immigration judge or asylum officer under Mr. Trump’s edict, which effectively suspends U.S. obligations under domestic and international law to ensure people fleeing persecution are not returned to danger.

One of the officials said Border Patrol agents were directed to swiftly deport migrant adults and families traveling with children under the president’s directives, after taking their biometrics and fingerprints. Migrants who are not from Mexico are to be detained pending their deportation.

Those with criminal histories are subject to prosecution in the U.S. under a long-standing practice, the official said…