White House will appeal ruling against returning asylum seekers to Mexico

WASHINGTON: The White House said on Tuesday it would appeal a court ruling made one day earlier that halted an administration policy that required some asylum seekers to return to Mexico and wait there for their cases to proceed.

"This action gravely undermines the president's ability to address the crisis at the border with the tools Congress has authorized and disrupts the conduct of our foreign affairs," the White House said in a statement.

"We intend to appeal, and we will take all necessary action to defend the executive branch's lawful efforts to resolve the crisis at our southern border," it added.