House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she sees comprehensive immigration reform not only as Congress’ official work but also as its moral responsibility as she finishes up a tour of Central America.

Immigrants who fear persecution because of their family ties will no longer be eligible for asylum under a new rule issued by U.S. Attorney General William Barr.

Trump billed the operation as a major show of force in an effort to “deport millions” of people in the country illegally

The policy went into effect Tuesday but drew two swift lawsuits from immigrant advocacy groups in federal courts, one in San Francisco and one in Washington, D.C.

The move marks a major escalation of the president's battle to tighten the southern border.

Immigrants and their advocates were on standby for mass arrests, but by early evening there were reports of only a few low-profile operations in cities including New York, Denver and Miami.

On Friday, Pence toured two Texas migrant detention centres, one in Donna, the other in McAllen.

The DHS inspector general on Tuesday published photos of migrant-holding centers in Texas' Rio Grande Valley crammed with twice as many people as they were meant to hold.

Amid ongoing criticism of the Trump administration, migrants are coming to the U.S. in record numbers.

The Carrizo Springs facility is at the site of a former camp for oilfield workers. Crews were working last week to remove mould spots and make repairs.