As the US President defended his administration’s immigration crackdown, Trump said that he would not allow the US to become a “migrant camp”.
Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump commented on the government’s controversial practice of separating migrant children from their parents at the border.
“The United States will not be a migrant camp and it will not be a refugee holding facility,” he said.
“You look at what’s happening in Europe. You look at what’s happening in other places – we can’t allow that to happen to the United States. Not on my watch.”
Between mid-April and the end of May, the US has separated almost 2,000 children from their parents at the US border.
The separation tactic that Trump’s administration is enforcing has led to a backlash from members of Congress, human rights advocates and religious leaders. Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama have also condemned the practice.
“We are a better country than one that tears families apart, turns a blind eye to women fleeing domestic violence and treats frightened children as a negotiating tool,” said Clinton.
Refusing to take responsibility, Trump said that his administration was simply enforcing the existing laws in place.
“I say it’s very strongly the Democrats’ fault,” Trump said on Twitter. “CHANGE THE LAWS” he added.
There is no law requiring the separation of families at the US border, however, Trump is insisting on following the “zero-tolerance” policy where all migrants who are caught trying to enter the US illegally are subject to criminal prosecution.
Kirstjen Nielsen, the secretary of homeland security, and Jeff Sessions, the attorney general, defended the policy.
“We will not apologize for the job we do, or for the job law enforcement does, for doing the job that the American people expect us to do,” said Nielsen.
“Illegal actions have and must have consequences. No more free passes, no more get-out-of-jail-free cards,” she added at the National Sheriffs’ Association conference.