Washington — The sounds of children crying after being taken away from their families have sparked bipartisan outrage.
While the Trump administration insists it does not have a policy of separating immigrant families, critics say the President could end the practice with a phone call, if he so chose.
So who's right?
Attorney General Jeff Sessions outlined a new zero-tolerance policy earlier this year, saying anyone who comes across the U.S. border illegally will face criminal charges.
Adults would be sent to federal jails or detention centers to be prosecuted.
Since children can't be held at adult facilities, they're placed in the custody of the Federal Office of Refugee Resettlement.
And the Attorney General is unapologetic.
He says migrants have knowingly brought children with them in the past to avoid prosecution.
But he says separating families will deter that, "Hopefully people will get message and come through the border at the port of entry, and not break across the border unlawfully."
By the government's own estimate, 2,000 children have been separated from their families between April and May, and that number is expected to grow.
According to NBC News, children spend an average of 51 days at these facilities. With some spending just 2 hours a day outside. And many are housed in wire enclosures that resemble kennels.
Meantime, every living former first lady, including the President's wife Melania Trump, has spoken out against family separation.
And immigration experts say there is no law that requires families to be separated at the border.
But the Secretary of Homeland Security and the President disagree, blaming the Democrats.
President Trump says the Democrats, “Supported loopholes in our Federal laws. Most illegal immigrant families and minors from Central America who arrive unlawfully at the border cannot be detained together, or removed together, only released.”
The President tweeted that Democrats don't care about crime and want illegal immigrants to pour into and infest our country.
He also called on Congress to change what he calls the "ridiculous and obsolete laws on immigration".
During a speech today, he said he doesn't want children taken away from parents, but when you prosecute parents who come in illegally, you have to take the children away.