President Trump is considering implementing new immigration rules that allow border officials to block an American citizen or permanent resident entry. As long as they have reason to believe that said citizen may be infected with Coronavirus.
In an effort to stop the spread of the virus, President Trump has imposed rules that ban the entry of foreigners. However, these rules have exempted American citizens and foreigners with legal residence.
Due to recent developments, a draft regulation seeks to modify that exemption. Although federal agencies have been asked to submit feedback, details of its approval remain unclear.
Under the said proposal, the government could block a citizen or legal resident from crossing the border. If an official “reasonably believes that the individual either may be exposed to or is infected with the communicable disease.”
The New York Times was able to obtain some parts of the draft of this new proposal. According to the draft, any order blocking citizens and legal residents must include “appropriate protections to ensure that no constitutional rights are infringed.”
However, the documents do not appear to detail how long a citizen or legal resident is to remain outside of the US.
The proposal applies to all entry points into the United States. This includes airports and along the northern and southern borders. Particularly, the draft could affect the border with Mexico.
Unconstitutional?
The draft of the proposal goes to great lengths to assert the legality of blocking entry. However, legal experts have continued to question the constitutionality of it all.
Barring Americans’ entry to the United States is unconstitutional. This is according to Omar Jadwat, director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Immigrant’s Rights Project. “The Trump administration continues to roll out one border ban after another. While failing abysmally to get the virus under control.”
