Trump Orders U.S. Federal Agencies to Reunite Immigrant Families

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, announced on Thursday, June 21, that he has given a direct order to federal agencies to reunite parents and children who were separated after illegally entering the United States. This is the first step in implementing an order that Mr. Trump issued following widespread protests regarding the conditions of these families. The release of video footage showing children sitting behind bars and audio files of their cries has sparked outrage both within the U.S. and internationally. Melania Trump, Donald Trump's wife, is among those protesting these conditions and has called for reform. According to a Reuters report, Mrs. Trump made an unannounced visit to a detention center in Texas where children of illegal immigrants are held. Meanwhile, Mr. Trump emphasized in a meeting with his cabinet members that he has instructed the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, and Health and Human Services to work together to ensure that illegal immigrant families can stay together during their immigration process and that those who were previously separated can be reunited. Although Donald Trump's order is seen as a positive response to protests, it does not signify an end to the administration's 'zero tolerance' policy that has been in place for the past ten weeks regarding illegal immigrants, which is based on absolute intolerance. Additionally, there are some legal obstacles to implementing Mr. Trump's order, and his lawyers must file a request to amend a court ruling issued two decades ago, which states that children under the legal age can only be held in detention for up to twenty days. Under the new U.S. policy, immigrants who illegally enter the United States will face criminal prosecution. The U.S. Department of Justice insists that this new policy must still be enforced.