Facing a rising tide of outrage from Democrats and some Republicans over the forced separation of migrant children and parents at the US-Mexico border, President Donald Trump dug in Monday, again falsely blaming Democrats in the escalating political crisis.
Democrats have turned up the pressure over the policy, and some Republicans have joined the chorus of criticism. Former first lady laura Bush has called the policy “cruel” and “immoral” while GOP Sen. Susan Collins expressed concern about it and a former adviser to Trump questioned using the policy to pressure Democrats on immigration legislation.
Trump continued to cast blame on Democrats Monday, tweeting: “Why don’t the Democrats give us the votes to fix the world’s worst immigration lawsIJ Where is the outcry for the killings and crime being caused by gangs and thugs, including MS-13, coming into our country illegallyIJ”
Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen refused Monday to apologize for enforcing immigration laws that result in the separation of children from their parents. Speaking at a meeting of the National Sheriffs’ Association in New Orleans Monday, she rejected criticism accusing DHS of inhuman and immoral actions.
“We are doing none of those things. We are enforcing the laws passed by Congress,” she said, calling on Congress to reform immigration laws.