Jun 15, 2018 - Politics & Policy
Almost 2,000 migrant children have been separated from their parents

Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images
As of the end of May, 1,995 children have been separated from 1,940 parents since Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the “zero-tolerance” policy at the southern border, according to DHS data obtained by the Associated Press.
Why it matters: The family separation policy has sparked widespread outrage among lawmakers, children advocates, church groups, the U.N. and the public. President Trump said Friday morning on the matter, "I hate it. I hate to see separation of children and their parents," blaming Democrats for the situation. However, the decision to prosecute parents who are caught crossing the border illegally stems from the Trump administration.
Go deeper: How Trump can separate migrant families