US federal judge rejects Trump's asylum ban for migrants
A federal judge in the United States has blocked the anti-immigration policy of President Donald Trump aimed at deporting asylum seekers.
Earlier this month, Trump signed an immigration order to clamp down on asylum seekers who illegally cross the southern border into the United States.
US District Judge Jon Tigar said on Monday that the president “may not rewrite the immigration laws to impose a condition that
Congress has expressly forbidden,” media reported citing "multiple source".
He said Trump's anti-immigration policy likely violated federal law on asylum eligibility.
The judge issued a temporary nationwide restraining order barring enforcement of the policy after hearing arguments in the case, according to the reports.
The Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security had earlier published a joint rule prohibiting certain people caught crossing the US southern border from Mexico between ports of entry from claiming asylum.
"Our asylum system is overwhelmed with too many meritless asylum claims from aliens who place a tremendous burden on our resources," acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said in a joint statement at the time.
The rule was opposed by immigration activists and civil rights groups including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Center for Constitutional Rights.
“We don’t condone people entering between ports of entry, but Congress has made the decision that if they do, they still need to be allowed to apply for asylum,"
Trump's asylum crackdown came as a caravan of Central American migrants moved northward through Mexico toward the US border.
His opponents, including former president Barack Obama, said Trump was using the immigrant issue as a stunt to gain votes in elections.
Ahead of this month's midterm congressional elections, Trump focused his rhetoric on immigration and the caravan headed to the US from Latin America.
Trump has been largely quiet about the migrants since the elections took place.
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