Sen. Ted Cruz
Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzMeet the senator on Trump's Supreme Court shortlist Voter optimism holds key to GOP’s midterm hopes Illinois governor: 'Vote for anybody' but Holocaust-denying Nazi MORE (R-Texas) is defending the Trump administration’s policy of separating migrants from their children when they are apprehended at the border, saying it can't be avoided when people illegally cross the border.
"There's actually a court order that prevents keeping the kids with the parents when you put the parents in jail," Cruz told the Dallas public radio station KERA on Monday, according to a report in The Dallas Morning News.
"So when you see reporters, when you see Democrats saying don't separate kids from their parents, what they're really saying is don't arrest illegal aliens," Cruz said.
Since the separation policy was announced last month, the Trump administration has been heavily criticized for what opponents say is a cruel practice. The separation happens before a parent is convicted and is carried out regardless of whether a migrant is seeking asylum.
President Trump
Donald John TrumpMichelle Wolf in July Fourth salute: 'God bless abortions and God bless America' Graham: Trump's Supreme Court picks 'all winners' Man arrested after allegedly threatening to kill Trump supporters, GOP lawmaker MORE has blamed Democrats for the separations, arguing that the policy was in place before he took office and that he has to enforce the laws.
However, Cruz also said that Trump was responsible for the ongoing separations.
"There is a reason why under the Obama administration that often didn't happen, because when they apprehended people here illegally, they just let them go. And when you let them go, you didn't separate children from parents," Cruz said. "There's no doubt that illegal immigration causes human tragedies and many of those tragedies are visited on kids."
The issue has created another contention point between Cruz and his Democratic challenger for his Senate seat, Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D).
"You are either for separating children from their parents or you are against it. I am against it," O'Rourke posted on Facebook last month.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions
Jefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsMeet the senator on Trump's Supreme Court shortlist Trump asked Pruitt to resign in message delivered by Kelly: report Tucker Carlson: Dems are 'plotting a coup' using immigration protests MORE said the practice was a way to deter illegal immigration but the Homeland Security Department has also said that the policy is not for deterrence.
