Melania Trump calls for child migrant action

US First Lady Melania Trump has expressed concern over a controversial policy that separates families who illegally enter the country.

Mrs Trump "hates to see children separated from their families" and wants to see "successful immigration reform", her spokeswoman said.

Her comments follow growing controversy over President Donald Trump's "zero-tolerance" immigration policy, BBC reports. 

Former First Lady Laura Bush also spoke out, labelling the policy "immoral".

In a recent six-week period there were nearly 2,000 family separations following the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal border crossings.

Adults who try to cross the border, many planning to seek asylum, are placed in custody and face criminal prosecution for illegal entry.

As a result, hundreds of minors are now being housed in detention centres, and kept away from their parents - a policy which rights groups have criticised as unprecedented.