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| Trump Cites Coronavirus as He Announces a Border Crackdown | Trump Cites Coronavirus as He Announces a Border Crackdown |
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| WASHINGTON — Citing the threat of the coronavirus to the American public, the Trump administration said on Friday it would begin rapidly sending people who illegally cross the United States borders to their home countries and would halt the processing of undocumented migrants at ports of entry. | WASHINGTON — Citing the threat of the coronavirus to the American public, the Trump administration said on Friday it would begin rapidly sending people who illegally cross the United States borders to their home countries and would halt the processing of undocumented migrants at ports of entry. |
| Chad Wolf, the acting secretary of homeland security, said the United States would also close the legal entry points along the border with Mexico and Canada to tourism. American citizens, lawful permanent residents and those crossing a border to seek medical treatment or attend educational institutions would not be affected. Commercial traffic would remain open, but port officers would stop processing those without legal authority to be in the United States, including asylum seekers. | Chad Wolf, the acting secretary of homeland security, said the United States would also close the legal entry points along the border with Mexico and Canada to tourism. American citizens, lawful permanent residents and those crossing a border to seek medical treatment or attend educational institutions would not be affected. Commercial traffic would remain open, but port officers would stop processing those without legal authority to be in the United States, including asylum seekers. |
| Mr. Wolf said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had issued the order to turn away any people who crossed the southwestern border illegally instead of taking them to a detention center where they could ask for asylum in the United States. President Trump has sought such a restrictive policy for years, but the courts have blocked it as a violation of due process. | Mr. Wolf said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had issued the order to turn away any people who crossed the southwestern border illegally instead of taking them to a detention center where they could ask for asylum in the United States. President Trump has sought such a restrictive policy for years, but the courts have blocked it as a violation of due process. |
| “We’re trying to limit the amount of contact we have with these individuals,” said Mr. Wolf, adding that many migrants who cross the border often lack documents to prove their medical history. “It’s going to be very rapid.” | “We’re trying to limit the amount of contact we have with these individuals,” said Mr. Wolf, adding that many migrants who cross the border often lack documents to prove their medical history. “It’s going to be very rapid.” |
| Under the new rule, set to take effect Saturday, Border Patrol agents will be issued biometric tools to process migrants in the field. Migrants who have a criminal history will still be detained, but agents are being directed to take others to the nearest port of entry or airfield, where they are to be returned to their home countries. | Under the new rule, set to take effect Saturday, Border Patrol agents will be issued biometric tools to process migrants in the field. Migrants who have a criminal history will still be detained, but agents are being directed to take others to the nearest port of entry or airfield, where they are to be returned to their home countries. |
| A Customs and Border Protection spokesman initially said that young migrants traveling without an adult guardian would be exempted from the new policy and admitted to shelters run by the Department of Health and Human Services. But Tony Barker, a different spokesman for the agency, later said that migrant children were being quickly returned to their home countries on a “case by case basis,” rather than being admitted and considered for asylum in the United States. | A Customs and Border Protection spokesman initially said that young migrants traveling without an adult guardian would be exempted from the new policy and admitted to shelters run by the Department of Health and Human Services. But Tony Barker, a different spokesman for the agency, later said that migrant children were being quickly returned to their home countries on a “case by case basis,” rather than being admitted and considered for asylum in the United States. |
| Mr. Trump said this week that his administration would begin immediately turning away migrants and asylum seekers by using the authorities granted to the surgeon general. On Friday, the president made it official. | Mr. Trump said this week that his administration would begin immediately turning away migrants and asylum seekers by using the authorities granted to the surgeon general. On Friday, the president made it official. |
| “Our nation’s top health care officials are extremely concerned about the public health consequences of mass, uncontrolled cross-border movement,” Mr. Trump said. “That would be mostly, but even beyond, but mostly during this global pandemic.” | “Our nation’s top health care officials are extremely concerned about the public health consequences of mass, uncontrolled cross-border movement,” Mr. Trump said. “That would be mostly, but even beyond, but mostly during this global pandemic.” |
| He deputized his top health officials on Friday as de facto spokesmen for his hard-line border policy. | He deputized his top health officials on Friday as de facto spokesmen for his hard-line border policy. |
| Alex M. Azar II, the secretary of health and human services, said that “a number of health challenges arise when illegal immigrants arrive at our northern and southern borders.” | Alex M. Azar II, the secretary of health and human services, said that “a number of health challenges arise when illegal immigrants arrive at our northern and southern borders.” |
| “When held at border facilities, these migrants were spreading the virus to other migrants, to C.B.P. agents and border health care workers and even the United States population as a whole,” he said, referring to Customs and Border Protection. | “When held at border facilities, these migrants were spreading the virus to other migrants, to C.B.P. agents and border health care workers and even the United States population as a whole,” he said, referring to Customs and Border Protection. |
| When asked about Mr. Azar’s claims that the migrants were carriers of the coronavirus, a spokesman for the agency could not point to any evidence showing that that was happening. The spokesman, John Mennell, said only that “this is exactly what we are trying to prevent.” | When asked about Mr. Azar’s claims that the migrants were carriers of the coronavirus, a spokesman for the agency could not point to any evidence showing that that was happening. The spokesman, John Mennell, said only that “this is exactly what we are trying to prevent.” |
| The rule will be in effect for up to a year, or until Mr. Azar determines it is no longer necessary, according to a Department of Health and Human Services regulation published on Friday. | The rule will be in effect for up to a year, or until Mr. Azar determines it is no longer necessary, according to a Department of Health and Human Services regulation published on Friday. |
| As of Friday evening, Mexico had confirmed 164 cases of the coronavirus, as the United States soared over 17,000. Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, the so-called Northern Triangle of Central America, where many migrants are from, had 37. | As of Friday evening, Mexico had confirmed 164 cases of the coronavirus, as the United States soared over 17,000. Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, the so-called Northern Triangle of Central America, where many migrants are from, had 37. |
| Migrant detention facilities have been criticized in the past for their poor conditions. Last year, many migrant children fell ill in the crowded and cramped facilities. | Migrant detention facilities have been criticized in the past for their poor conditions. Last year, many migrant children fell ill in the crowded and cramped facilities. |
| Whether the policy can be carried out remains to be seen. | Whether the policy can be carried out remains to be seen. |
| A Border Patrol official said on Friday that agents had not received any guidance on the rule, despite it taking effect on Saturday. It was also unclear whether agents would prevent every migrant who crossed illegally from asking for asylum in the United States before immediately returning them. | A Border Patrol official said on Friday that agents had not received any guidance on the rule, despite it taking effect on Saturday. It was also unclear whether agents would prevent every migrant who crossed illegally from asking for asylum in the United States before immediately returning them. |
| Two Border Patrol officials said the understanding among agents was that they would evaluate each illegal crosser on a “case-by-case basis,” while Mr. Trump and Mr. Wolf said that anyone who crossed illegally would be immediately sent back. | Two Border Patrol officials said the understanding among agents was that they would evaluate each illegal crosser on a “case-by-case basis,” while Mr. Trump and Mr. Wolf said that anyone who crossed illegally would be immediately sent back. |
| Administration officials also initially said the rule would entail returning everyone who crossed the border illegally to Mexico. But the Mexican government, which was blindsided when Mr. Trump confirmed the plan this week, has since said that it would not accept all returned migrants. | Administration officials also initially said the rule would entail returning everyone who crossed the border illegally to Mexico. But the Mexican government, which was blindsided when Mr. Trump confirmed the plan this week, has since said that it would not accept all returned migrants. |
| Updated June 12, 2020 | Updated June 12, 2020 |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. | Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. |
| Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. | Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. | Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. |
| The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. | The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| “If they return people who are neither Mexican nor Central Americans, Mexico would not accept it,” said Marcelo Ebrard, Mexico’s foreign minister. Central American migrants are sent to Mexico from the United States under a different policy, one that allows them to make an asylum claim but forces them to wait in Mexico while their cases are adjudicated. | “If they return people who are neither Mexican nor Central Americans, Mexico would not accept it,” said Marcelo Ebrard, Mexico’s foreign minister. Central American migrants are sent to Mexico from the United States under a different policy, one that allows them to make an asylum claim but forces them to wait in Mexico while their cases are adjudicated. |
| After Mr. Ebrard stated Mexico’s position in a separate briefing, Mr. Wolf said migrants from countries other than Mexico would be taken to airfields, where flights chartered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement are routinely used to deport migrants. | After Mr. Ebrard stated Mexico’s position in a separate briefing, Mr. Wolf said migrants from countries other than Mexico would be taken to airfields, where flights chartered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement are routinely used to deport migrants. |
| While the administration is already diverting asylum seekers to Guatemala, it is unclear if it is prepared to return every migrant to their home countries. Mr. Wolf said the Department of Homeland Security is currently apprehending migrants from more than 120 countries. Coordinating such transports with the government of a migrant’s home country and securing a seat on a flight would most likely require holding the migrant for at least a short period of time. | While the administration is already diverting asylum seekers to Guatemala, it is unclear if it is prepared to return every migrant to their home countries. Mr. Wolf said the Department of Homeland Security is currently apprehending migrants from more than 120 countries. Coordinating such transports with the government of a migrant’s home country and securing a seat on a flight would most likely require holding the migrant for at least a short period of time. |
| In the past, the department has been able to return migrants to Mexico by asking them if they would voluntarily go home, according to Theresa Cardinal Brown, the director of immigration and cross-border policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center. But in those cases, migrants could opt out of that process and express a need for asylum. | In the past, the department has been able to return migrants to Mexico by asking them if they would voluntarily go home, according to Theresa Cardinal Brown, the director of immigration and cross-border policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center. But in those cases, migrants could opt out of that process and express a need for asylum. |
| She said the administration’s new rule would conflict with the immigration law that allows migrants on American soil, even those who cross illegally, to start the asylum process. | She said the administration’s new rule would conflict with the immigration law that allows migrants on American soil, even those who cross illegally, to start the asylum process. |
| “I’ve never seen this happen yet, so we have to see how this works in practice,” Ms. Brown said. “You’re faced with a conflict. A conflict of denying entry for health reasons and a right to apply for asylum.” | “I’ve never seen this happen yet, so we have to see how this works in practice,” Ms. Brown said. “You’re faced with a conflict. A conflict of denying entry for health reasons and a right to apply for asylum.” |
| Zolan Kanno-Youngs reported from Washington, and Kirk Semple from Mexico City. | Zolan Kanno-Youngs reported from Washington, and Kirk Semple from Mexico City. |