(CNN) The administration is pushing to use the coronavirus pandemic to accomplish some of the tough immigration restrictions that hardliners have struggled to put into practice since President Donald Trump took office, including blocking entry to asylum seekers, according to US officials briefed on the plans.

A plan to turn back all migrants seeking asylum would have its most immediate effect on the US-Mexico border. It has run into opposition from several government agencies, in part because of concerns that it would violate US and international law, including treaties on how to deal with refugees and victims of torture.

Officials are working on a plan to deny entry to all asylum seekers, according to multiple sources. That may include a plan to return all illegal border crossers without due process.

"It's an unprecedented closure of the Southwest border," said a senior Department of Homeland Security official. "Shutting off any due process for the time being and turning people around."

US citizens and legal permanent residents will continue to be allowed to enter the US, the official said, adding that the ban won't apply to cargo shipments. However, it is unclear whether others will be allowed to continue to cross legally.

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