The new measures would deny asylum to those who breach any presidential restriction on entry.

The president can stop migration in the "national interest", a statement said. Rights groups have called the move "illegal."

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

Before the mid-terms, President Trump frequently denounced a caravan of thousands of Central Americans making their way north through Mexico.

He ordered troops to the border and declared the migrants to be an "invasion". Without offering evidence, Mr Trump repeatedly suggested the caravan was politically motivated.

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