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White House Blasts Judge Who Ruled Against Asylum Seekers Policy

WASHINGTON (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — The White House says President Donald Trump "will do whatever it takes" to protect Americans after a judge blocked the administration's policy of returning asylum seekers to Mexico to await an immigration hearing.

Press secretary Sarah Sanders tweeted that a "liberal activist judge in San Francisco ruled the United States and Mexico can't work together to address asylum issues at the border." She claims Mexico is now doing more to secure the U.S. border than Democrats in Congress and calls the situation "sad."

The policy was launched in January at the San Diego crossing.

Sanders ends by saying Trump "will do whatever it takes to keep Americans safe." She didn't elaborate.

Judge Richard Seeboorg granted a request on behalf of 11 asylum seekers from Central America and legal advocacy groups to halt the practice while their lawsuit moves forward, but put his ruling on hold until Friday.

(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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