Mexico lashes out as US extends policy of returning asylum-seekers

The United States plans to extend its policy of returning asylum-seeking migrants back over the southern border to await their court hearings, triggering backlash from Mexico over the "unilateral measure."

The policy -- US President Donald Trump's latest bid to deter undocumented immigrants -- will now be applied at a second border crossing: the one between Calexico, California and its Mexican sister city, Mexicali, the Mexican foreign ministry said Tuesday, citing US officials.

The measure, which has been criticized by rights groups, was first implemented in January at the crossing between Tijuana and San Ysidro, California.

"The Mexican government reiterates that it does not agree with this unilateral measure implemented by the US authorities," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

The policy, known as the Migrant Protection Protocols, applies only to non-Mexican migrants.

Trump, who originally dubbed it the "Remain in Mexico" policy, unveiled the idea last year as a series of ..