President Trump speaks during a meeting with tourism industry executives about the coronavirus, in the Cabinet Room of the White House. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.
Good morning and welcome to Fox News First. Here's what you need to know as you start your day ...
DHS mulls plan to offset coronavirus outbreak by turning away asylum-seekers, illegal immigrants
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering a plan that would turn away asylum-seekers and anyone who has crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally, in light of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Fox News has learned.
DHS staff are still developing the plan before it's presented to President Trump for a final decision. The president has the authority to do whatever is necessary to protect the American public from the potentially deadly disease, a DHS spokesperson told Fox News. “President Trump is 100 percent committed to protecting the American people from coronavirus and all options are in the table," the official said.
This news comes after the European Union (EU) on Tuesday chose to close the bloc's borders to most foreigners. In addition, the U.S. reached two grim milestones Tuesday: Washington state reported its 1,000th case of coronavirus and West Virginia recorded its first case, making it the 50th state to have a confirmed case of the disease. Click here for more on our top story.
Other coronavirus developments:
- Brandon Judd: Coronavirus pandemic requires US to adopt new policy to quickly deport illegal immigrants
- Fauci says it'll be weeks before we see the effects of following coronavirus guidelines
- Senate pushes deal over coronavirus bills to Wednesday
- Oregon schools closed through April 28; Calif. schools ‘unlikely’ to reopen before summer: governors
Pence, in 'Hannity' interview, says there will be 'tens of thousands' of coronavirus tests in coming days, weeks
Vice President Mike Pence, in an interview Tuesday on "Hannity," once again encouraged Americans and businesses to follow the coronavirus guidelines released by the Trump administration's coronavirus task force.
"We need every American, every American business to step forward and recognize that if we act now, if we act now, we can limit the spread of the coronavirus significantly and ultimately save lives," he told host Sean Hannity, pushing "social distancing."
When Hannity asked Pence about drive-thru testing, the VP said the process was ramping up. "What's happening is that as of last week, ten states around the country had initiated drive-thru testing centers. But Sean, they were using the old manual testing methods in labs, which could only test about 40 to 60 people a week," Pence said.
"Because President Trump two weeks ago brought together the top commercial labs in the country and because the FDA moved in record time, now we have what are called high-throughput tests, automated tests that can literally test thousands of people a day for the coronavirus." Click here for more.
Other related developments:
- Trump wants to send Americans checks 'immediately' in response to coronavirus, Mnuchin says
- Things you can do right now to stop the spread of coronavirus
- Can you catch coronavirus from surfaces?
Biden crushes Sanders in primary sweep of Florida, Illinois, Arizona
Joe Biden swept another round of delegate-rich contests Tuesday – winning in Florida, Illinois and Arizona – further cementing the former vice president as the dominant front-runner in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination over Bernie Sanders as the coronavirus threat scrambles the primary calendar for the foreseeable future.
Florida and Illinois will award a hefty 219 and 155 pledged delegates, respectively, while Arizona is worth 67 delegates. Together, the contests are likely to only add to the pressure on Sanders to reconsider his presence in the race. Last week, Sanders vowed to press on after a string of defeats, signaling he wants to continue to pressure Biden to embrace more progressive policies. Click here for more.
Other related developments:
- Leslie Marshall: Sanders should end campaign
- Democracy 2020 Digest: Coronavirus scare dampens primary turnout
- AOC's pick in Democrat primary for House seat beats incumbent
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
TODAY'S MUST-READS
Tom Brady to join Tampa Bay Buccaneers, agrees to deal in principle: report.
During coronavirus pandemic, different regions establish patchwork of rules.
EXCLUSIVE: American stranded on Italian cruise ship by coronavirus says passengers in high spirits.
THE LATEST FROM FOX BUSINESS
Stock futures fall as Wall Street rollercoaster continues.
Coronavirus crisis could cause unemployment rate to spike, Mnuchin cautions.
ICYMI: Coronavirus and taxes: Filing do's and don'ts.
#TheFlashback: CLICK HERE to find out what happened on "This Day in History."
SOME PARTING WORDS
Laura Ingraham raises six questions that she says the public needs answered on the coronavirus pandemic.
Not signed up yet for Fox News First? Click here to find out what you're missing.
Click here to find out what's on Fox News and Fox News Radio today!
Fox News First is compiled by Fox News' Bryan Robinson. Thank you for making us your first choice in the morning! Hang in there -- we'll get through this coronavirus outbreak crisis. We'll see you in your inbox first thing Thursday morning.
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
