The Trump administration on Friday announced sweeping new
travel restrictions between U.S. and Mexico in the latest step to curb the
spread of the coronavirus — it halted non-essential travel
and moved to turn back any illegal immigrants trying to enter the country.
"The United States and Mexico have agreed to
restrict non-essential travel across our shared border," Secretary of
State Mike Pompeo said during a White House press briefing with other top
officials.
Officials emphasized that the restrictions would not
affect lawful trade and commerce, as the administration seeks to keep the
economic supply chain going amid the ongoing crisis.
Moments later, acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad
Wolf announced that the Centers for Disease Control has directed the Department
of Homeland Security to "suspend the introduction of all individuals
without proper documentation" into the U.S. from both the northern and
southern borders.
Those entering the country illegally between the ports of
entry are frequently detained for a period of time, particularly if they claim
asylum. But under this policy, they will be sent back immediately and not
detained in a center where they could possibly spread or catch the highly
contagious virus.
Wolf said the restrictions will go into place at midnight
tonight, and that anyone caught entering the country illegally would
immediately be returned to Mexico, Canada or a number of other countries from
where they have originated. The restrictions come amid fears that a wave of
migration could bring disease and overwhelm the American health care system.
“These measures will protect the health of all three
nations and reduce the incentive for mass global migration that would badly
deplete the health care resources needed for our people,” President Trump said.
Also during Friday's press conference, Trump announced
that the administration would allow federal student loan borrowers to suspend their payments
without penalty for at least 60 days, and that standardized test requirements
would not be enforced for elementary and high school students amid the
coronavirus pandemic.
...
Trump has slapped travel bans on China, Iran and the
European Union. This week, Trump announced that the U.S. and Canada had
agreed to stop all non-essential travel across the border -- that also goes
into effect at midnight.
Trump said Friday the crisis threatens to “create a
perfect storm that would spread infections to our border agents, migrants, and
to the public at large. Left unchecked this would cripple our system, overwhelm
the health care system and threaten national security."
A number of states have imposed significant restrictions
on daily life. California and New York have issued orders for residents to stay
at home, and businesses and schools have closed across the country.
The administration is also seeking to provide economic
relief to Americans affected by the crisis. The Senate appears to be nearing
agreement on a $1 trillion stimulus package that includes sending checks to
Americans. Trump on Friday confirmed that Tax Day is being shifted to July 15.
As of Friday morning, the U.S. had 14,250 confirmed
cases of coronavirus in all 50 states, including Washington, D.C. The U.S., so
far, has seen 205 COVID-19-related deaths.
Fox News' Brooke Singman contributed to this
report.
