Migrant parents are 'some of the worst criminals on earth,' says Trump

Undocumented immigrant and her child in Colorado.

(Image credit: John Moore/Getty Images)

published 18 June 2018

President Trump on Monday claimed that migrant families are being separated at the border because immigrant parents are choosing to bring their children as a way to game the system and enter the U.S.

While Trump has never explained exactly how Democrats are responsible for his administration's decision to start separating families to criminally prosecute undocumented immigrants — perhaps because they're not — he has repeated the claim several times. Many members of the GOP have denounced the policy and pointed out that Trump has the power to stop it, telling Trump that he could end the practice with a simple phone call.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Explore More

Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.

Subscribe to The Week

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox