Family Separation Is Trump’s Immigration Policy. Here’s Why He Won’t Own It

Democratic members of Congress protest the Trump family separate policy. From left to right: Reps. Joseph Crowley Luis Gutierrez, Pramila Jayapal, John Lewis and Judy Chu.

Alex Wong / Getty Images

President Trump and administration officials are walking a fine line on family separation at the border.

They argue they don’t like the policy, but that their hands are tied — and instead are pointing fingers at Congress to “fix” it.

There may be good reason for that — the policy (and it is a Trump administration policy, despite the Homeland Security secretary’s claims to the contrary) is unpopular.