32. Why are families being separated at the US-Mexico border?

Talking Migration

The images of children in cages, separated from their parents, at the US-Mexico border have upset people across the world. Part of a so called 'zero-tolerance' policy against 'illegal' migration, everyone crossing the border, even to apply for asylum, become subject of criminal prosecution. To facilitate this, almost 2000 children have been separated from their parents. But why is this happening now? What is being done to reunite the families? Who are the people trying to cross the border and what about their right to apply for asylum? To help answer these questions, we speak to Gabriella Sanchez, Research Fellow at the Migration Policy Centre at the European University Institute.