Fox News reports, The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering sending asylum seekers and anyone who has crossed the southern border illegally straight back to Mexico in a bid to fight the novel coronavirus {COVID-19) outbreak.
The Department of Homeland Security is discussing the idea, but has not presented a final proposal to President Trump for a decision.
Officials say Trump has the authority to enforce the new policy under a law that says the US can deny entry if the Surgeon General believes there is a “serious danger” of spreading a communicable disease, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.
Officials are said to be fearful that coronavirus could quickly spread through such crowded facilities, infecting many migrants and Border Patrol agents.
“President Trump is 100 percent committed to protecting the American people from coronavirus and all options are on the table,” the official said.
Trump has long been a strong proponent of stronger border security and has favored a targeted approach to limiting illegal immigration. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) falls under DHS and would be subject to carry out the directive if it were approved. This news comes after the European Union (EU) chose to close the bloc’s borders to most foreigners, on Tuesday. The ban is expected to last for at least 30 days, with citizens of the United Kingdom, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland likely being exempt.