Mr. Trump rejected a proposal by Senator Ted Cruz to end family separations by boosting personnel in immigration courts, suggesting that many of those judges could be corrupt.
Rosalynn Carter, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama have joined a chorus of criticism aimed at the Trump administration’s zero tolerance policy.
In a series of Twitter posts on Monday, the president also railed against Europe’s immigration issues, especially in Germany, as his own policies come under enhanced scrutiny and criticism.
While Melania Trump said that “both sides” need to come together to solve the problem, Laura Bush laid responsibility at the feet of the administration.
Ms. Valdez is a Latina, a lesbian and the Democratic nominee for governor. But some activists on the left say she’s not worthy of their support, particularly because of her record on immigration.
The American businessman, who lives in Singapore, took advantage of an unusual opening in an administration where matters of policy and business often seem to blur.
Inside the Trump administration, there is unease about the policy, but immigration hard-liners like Stephen Miller never gave up on it after the idea was dropped early in Mr. Trump’s term.
President Trump said Friday morning he “certainly wouldn’t sign” a compromise immigration bill up for a House vote next week, only to backtrack later in the day.