US Proposes Rule Banning Asylum For Illegal Migrants

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Migrants who cross the southern US border illegally will temporarily be denied asylum under a new rule, US President Donald Trump has said.

Mr Trump has signed a proclamation barring migrants who enter illegally from asylum for up to 90 days.

The president can stop migration in the "national interest", a statement said. Rights groups say it is illegal and have launched a legal challenge.

Immigration was a major focus in Mr Trump's mid-term election campaign.

The proclamation, which goes into effect on Saturday, triggers regulations adopted by immigration officials on Thursday.

"I just signed the proclamation on asylum - very important," the president told reporters on Friday before leaving for Paris.

"People can come in but they have to come in through the points of entry."