Updated 21.25
US First Lady Melania Trump has visited a detention centre in Texas where migrant children are being held without their parents.
Mrs Trump has been meeting with doctors, social workers and others who are providing services to the hundreds of children.
The separations have resulted from the Trump administration's 'zero tolerance' approach to illegal immigration at the US-Mexico border.
Since children cannot be held in federal jail, they are instead being held in detention centres while their parents await trial.
The First Lady's visit to Texas comes a day after President Trump signed an executive order to end family separations at the border, amid growing condemnation of the practice.
However, it's reported that the 2,300 children already being detained remain separated from their parents for now.
'Hard work and compassion'
At a round table discussion in Texas, Mrs Trump told workers at one centre: "We all know [the children] are here without their families and I want to thank you for your hard work, your compassion and your kindness you're giving them in these difficult times.
"I would also like to ask you how I can help these children to reunite with these families as quickly as possible."
Speaking about the visit, a spokesperson for the First Lady said: "Her goals are to thank law enforcement and social services providers for their hard work, lend support and hear more on how the administration can build upon the already existing efforts to reunite children with their families."
Mrs Trump drew some criticism on social media for wearing a jacket with the message 'I really don't care. Do u?' when boarding the plane to Texas earlier today, although she was not wearing the jacket when she disembarked.
Picture by: Andrew Harnik/AP/Press Association Images
FLOTUS spox confirms Mrs. Trump wore a jacket to visit border kids that reads: "I really don't care. Do you?" Spox says: "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." pic.twitter.com/Bp4Z8n455G
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) June 21, 2018
However, the First Lady's spokesperson dismissed the criticism - insisting it was just a jacket.
Today’s visit w the children in Texas impacted @flotus greatly. If media would spend their time & energy on her actions & efforts to help kids - rather than speculate & focus on her wardrobe - we could get so much accomplished on behalf of children. #SheCares #ItsJustAJacket
— Stephanie Grisham (@StephGrisham45) June 21, 2018
President Trump, meanwhile, continued to criticise Democrats over their immigration stance - despite the widespread domestic and international outrage provoked by the family separations in recent weeks.
My Administration is acting swiftly to address the illegal immigration crisis on the Southern Border. Loopholes in our immigration laws all supported by extremist open border Democrats...and that's what they are - they're extremist open border Democrats.... pic.twitter.com/F73I5gu0Q5
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 21, 2018
