President Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday ending his administration’s policy of separating the families of undocumented migrants at the U.S. border.
“We’re going to have a strong, very strong border, but we’re going to keep the families together. I didn’t like the sight or the feeling of families being separated,” said Trump. “We’re keeping families together and this will solve that problem.
“We’re working very hard on immigration. Its been left out in the cold. People haven’t dealt with it and we are dealing with it,” he added.
You can watch the speech here.
"Nobody's had the political courage to take care of it, but we're going to take care of it," Pres. Trump says as he officials signs executive order, ending family separation policy at border. https://t.co/uVatuft6AN pic.twitter.com/55BCmRFD1G
— CBS News (@CBSNews) June 20, 2018
The order will keep in place Trump’s policy of zero tolerance for those coming into the United States from Mexico illegally. The new order will allow families to stay together while they work through the legal system.
The president signed the order from the Oval Office and was flanked by Vice-President Mike Pence and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, who both praised his “leadership” on this issue.
The move is a significant reversal for Trump who only yesterday appeared to dig in his heels to keep the policy of separation in force. Various outlets reported Wednesday that in addition to bipartisan pressure, both First Lady Melania Trump and Ivanka Trump had interceded on the side of reuniting families.
MSNBC anchors took a victory lap after the channel dedicated sustained coverage of the issue this week.
“President Trump is waving the white flag to a certain extent on this issue. He is capitulating,” said Craig Melvin from Texas hours before the order was signed.