Trump defends separation of families at the border



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WASHINGTON – President Trump pleaded Saturday for the controversial policy of separating families who go to the United States illegally, saying the fear of being separated from children is deterring some immigrants.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump warned that adults were using children to travel to the United States from Mexico.

"If they think that there will be a separation, they will not come," he said. "You have really bad people there."

Attempts to increase deterrence, including the Trump Government's controversial policy on separation of families abandoned in June – failed to slow the influx of families.

A record number of asylum seeking families has submerged border officers and immigration authorities. Border Patrol facilities are full of newcomer families, the number of beds in Texas Family Detention Centers is a priority and immigration court backlogs are on the rise.

According to a report released this month by the Department of Homeland Security, migrant children separated from their parents under the "zero tolerance" policy of the Trump administration often spent several days in government facilities designed for short-term use, while the Department of Homeland Security strove to find and reunite families. from the Office of the Inspector General of Homeland Security.

Given that children can not be held in criminal custody, more than 2,000 children were separated from their parents at the border in May and June, which attracted much criticism from members of both parties before that Mr. Trump will reconsider his decision at the end of June. .

"The chain's migration is bad," Trump told reporters. "If you look at the lottery system, it's bad."

Trump reiterated his preference for a merit-based immigration system, saying "a vast majority of the country is in agreement."

The president blamed the Democrats for falling into a law, saying that they should have passed "good bills" and noted that former President Obama faced similar challenges.

"Previously, when the country was not doing well, it was easier," he said, adding that the current influx was due to the quality of our country. "

On Friday, the Washington Post announced that the White House was actively considering projects that could once again separate parents from children on the US-Mexico border.

At a rally in Kentucky late Saturday night, Trump urged the crowd of supporters to elect Republicans to legislate to end the "hunt for firing" – the policy of liberating immigrants in the community waiting for an audience to determine their fate. status.

"Lottery? A lottery?" He repeated to the sound of the crowd. "These states that hold lotteries – do you really believe that they give us the best?"

Write to Vivian Salama at [email protected]

Corrections & Amplifications
The Washington Post said the White House was considering a new policy of separation of families. An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that it had been reported by the New York Times. (October 13, 2018)

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