The caravan of asylum-seekers and migrants headed toward the U.S. is hundreds of miles and many days away from reaching the border. Theres something thats closer, though: the midterm elections. As Republicans fight to hold on to the House of Representatives, the Trump administration is sending troops to the border and floating drastic measures that could bar Central Americans from entering the U.S. or seeking asylum.

Keeping out asylum-seekers would be consistent with the presidents long-stated policy preferences and draw more attention to immigration, one of his favorite bogeymen. It would also likely be illegal.

Theres no question that theres going to be a huge court battle and that he would get smacked down if he tries to block all asylum-seekers, said Kerri Talbot, director of federal advocacy for the progressive policy group Immigration Hub. And I think the administration knows that. But frankly, I dont think they care because they just want to distract people from core issues, and they want to get their base riled up.

The Trump administration is considering cracking down on asylum-seekers at the border, multiple news outlets reported Thursday . That could entail changes to rules and regulations and a presidential proclamation declaring a specific population such as Central Americans is barred from entering the U.S. on national security grounds, or a measure denying migrants from seeking humanitarian relief once in the country, according to reports.

Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen told reporters on Friday that everything is on the table and that the administration will announce additional measures in coming days, according to San Francisco Chronicle reporter Tal Kopan . Neither the White House nor the Department of Homeland Security responded to HuffPosts request for comment.

Although the law does grant the president some authority to bar certain groups of immigrants from entering the U.S., the policies reportedly under consideration would likely be swiftly challenged in court. Under U.S. law and international treaties, people who fear for their safety at home are eligible to seek asylum. The fact that the president has spoken disparagingly of migrants could lead to claims that racial animus motivated the change, similar to other legal challenges on his immigration policies.

If the Trump administration implements a policy change like the one described in news reports, it would block people with valid asylum claims, said Omar Jadwat, director of the ACLUs Immigrants Rights Project, although he expressed caution, emphasizing these are early reports and things could change.

The kind of thing theyre talking about, really its not about turning back the caravan; its not about preventing people from entering the country, as much as its about renouncing our obligation and guarantee of protection to people who are persecuted, Jadwat said.