US lawmakers want to end 'evil' migrant family separations

Undocumented immigrants walk to a nearby Catholic Charities relief center in McAllen, Texas, after being released from custody to wait for hearings on their status. [AFP]

Democratic lawmakers vowed Sunday to end the "evil" separation of migrant children from their parents at the US border, as First Lady Melania Trump made a rare political plea to end the deeply controversial practice.

The "zero-tolerance" border security policy implemented by President Donald Trump's administration has sparked outrage on both sides of the political aisle and took on particular resonance as America celebrated Father's Day.