Melania Trump raises eyebrows
June 21, 2018
US first lady Melania Trump on Thursday visited two facilities housing some of the more than 2,300 migrant children separated from their families by the US government after their families illegally entered the country.
The unannounced visit came a day after US President Donald Trump — in a stunning about-face — moved to end the practice of splitting up immigrant families.
Trump reversed his tough stance on separating families after days of outrage over the policy at home and abroad.
Read more: Trump's migrant family separations reversal too little, too late
Mrs. Trump first traveled to the Upbring New Hope Children's Shelter in McAllen, Texas, which houses 60 children aged five to 17.
"I'm glad I'm here and I'm looking forward to seeing the children," she told a roundtable discussion with social workers and government officials. "I would also like to ask you how I can help these children to reunite with their families as quickly as possible."
Mrs. Trump's jacket caused some controversy over whether a message written graffiti-style on the back indicated her true thoughts on the migrant issue.
The message read, "I really don't care, do u?"
Her spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said: "It's a jacket. There was no hidden message. After today's important visit to Texas, I hope the media isn't going to choose to focus on her wardrobe. "
Donald Trump had his own explanation, tweeting that Melania's jacket was a reference to the "Fake News Media."
"Melania has learned how dishonest they are, and she truly no longer cares!" Trump wrote.
The jacket stirred controversy on Twitter, with many wondering how she came to choose that particular coat.
Twitter users used the hashtag #IReallyDoCare and #WeShouldAllCare in protest of Mrs. Trump's fashion choice.
"Why would anyone wear a jacket that says "I don't care" any time?" Twitter use Tony Schwartz asked, calling the decision "tone deaf."
Ahead of the trip, the White House said Mrs. Trump had been making her opinion known to the president that he needed to act to keep migrant families together. Trump cited his daughter and wife when signing Wednesday's executive order.
"Ivanka feels very strongly, my wife feels very strongly about it, I feel very strongly about it. I think anybody with a heart would feel very strongly about it. We don't like to see families separated," Trump said.
Despite the change of heart, there was no immediate plan in place to reunite the more than 2,300 children already separated from their families.
His administration could face new legal battles over the order, which — in the case of those being prosecuted for entering the country illegally — will keep families together but in custody.
Read more: Hondurans in US to lose specially-protected immigration rights
The US House of Representatives was to vote on a pair of immigration bills on Thursday, including one that directly addresses the family separation issue, but postponed a vote on the more moderate of the two bills until next week. The bill that would have taken an even harder line on immigration was defeated Thursday, as expected.
law,mm/sms (AFP, AP, Reuters)