Washington (CNN) In a major break with current policy, Central American asylum seekers who arrive at the US border would be forced to wait in Mexico while their cases are processed, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.

The Trump administration is preparing to implement sweeping new measures that will turn away Central American asylum seekers at the US border who cannot establish a "reasonable fear" of persecution in Mexico, the Post reports, citing a Department of Homeland Security memo obtained by the paper. The new rules will take effect as soon as Friday, the Post reports.

Many of the thousands of migrants making their way to the US say they are fleeing gang violence, persecution and poverty in Central America and hope they'll find safety and security in the US.

The plan, called "Remain in Mexico," is a major departure from current procedure, the Post reports, which generally allows asylum seekers who establish a fear of return to their home country to avoid immediate deportation.

According to the DHS memo, "If you are determined to have a reasonable fear of remaining in Mexico, you will be permitted to remain in the United States while you await your hearing before an immigration judge," the Post reports. "If you are not determined to have a reasonable fear of remaining in Mexico, you will remain in Mexico," the memo continues, according to the Post.

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