A federal judge has barred the Trump administration from refusing asylum to immigrants who cross the southern border illegally.
President Donald Trump issued a proclamation on Nov. 9 circumventing immigration law, saying anyone who crossed the southern border between official ports of entry would be ineligible for asylum.
But in his ruling Monday, U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar agreed with legal groups that immediately sued, arguing that U.S. immigration law clearly allows someone to seek asylum even if they enter the country between official ports of entry and temporarily barred the ruling from going into place while the case is heard.
Monday’s ruling remains in effect for one month, barring an appeal.
With files from the Associated Press
Guests:
Robbie Whelan, reporter for the Wall Street Journal based in Mexico City, who’s been reporting on the migrant caravan and illegal crossings; he tweets
Nativo Lopez, an immigrant-rights advocate and senior political advisor for Hermandad Mexicana, a Santa Ana-based non-profit organization defending immigrants’ rights in California; he tweets
Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, which supports tighter controls on immigration; he tweets