First Lady Melania Trump visited a detention center for migrant children on Thursday, thanking the workers there for their compassion and asking how she can help the kids.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday to stop separating parents and children at the U.S. border, a practice that drew sharp criticism. He said the administration will continue its zero-tolerance policy of prosecuting immigrants who enter the U.S. illegally while stopping the separation of children from their parents while they are detained.
The president said his wife Melania was one of the people who had expressed concern for the families being separated.
"They're here without their families and I want to thank you for your hard work, your compassion, and your kindness you're giving them in these difficult times," the first lady said at the Upbring New Hope Children's Center in McAllen, Texas.
"I'd also like to ask you how I can help these children, to reunite with their families as quickly as possible. So thank you again for all that you do," she added.
The first lady said she wanted to see how children were doing during her visit.
"I'm glad I'm here and I'm looking forward to seeing and meeting children," she said.
In addition, Trump recognized the workers at the facility for their "heroic work."
She has since set off to return to the airport. Flooding in the area prevented her from seeing more and cut her trip short
The Trump administration has called on Congress to pass a legislative fix to how people are detained at the border. Democrats, however, have called on Trump to change the policy through executive action.
"There are so many obstacles to legislation and when the president can do it with his own pen, it makes no sense," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) said. "Legislation is not the way to go here when it's so easy for the president to sign it."