San Francisco, November 20 (RHC)-- A U.S. federal judge has temporarily stopped an order by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration that would block asylum for people who enter the United States informally.

Trump issued the order in a November 9th proclamation, saying it was necessary to deal with the expected arrival of thousands of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border.

U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar in San Francisco issued a temporary restraining order late Monday against the asylum rules to take effect immediately, applying nationwide.  The measure will last at least until December 19, when the judge has scheduled a hearing to consider a more long-lasting injunction.

Trump cited an overwhelmed immigration system for his recent proclamation that officials would only process asylum claims for migrants who present themselves at an official entry point.

Civil rights groups sued the White House over this, arguing that Trump's November 9th order violated administrative and immigration law.

Judge Tigar said if allowed to go into effect, the rule would put asylum seekers "at increased risk of violence and other harm at the border, and many will be deprived of meritorious asylum claims."  He wrote that the government in its arguments "offers nothing in support of the new rule that outweighs the need to avoid these harms."

About 3,000 migrants have arrived in the Mexican border city of Tijuana, and more are expected to make their way there soon.  They join what was already a large group waiting for their chance to seek asylum at the San Ysidro border crossing, the main port of entry to the U.S. city of San Diego, California.