- The new DHS policy wouldeffectively end the practice

of catch and release.

Critics say it would causemore problems than it solves.

- Right now, we have a million,

more than a million plus backlog

in terms of the immigration courts.

- [Jenna] Immigration advocatesquestion the practicality

of the move.

- Most likely, it'sgonna take several years,

and then, what thegovernment's trying to do

is say all of those peoplewho are in detention,

all the families who are in detention

should be detained indefinitely

while that process is pending.

- [Jenna] The policy, announced Wednesday,

would end a previous rule

that children detained with their families

could be held for 20 days.

Now families would be kept together

and held until their court date.

Acting DHS Secretary KevinMcAleenan defended the move

and also unveiled plans for new housing

with medical facilities, soccer fields,

and even access to videoconferencing for court proceedings.

He said the old agreement basically served

as an incentive for illegal entry

- Human smugglers advertise

and intending migrants know well

that, even if they crossthe border illegally,

arriving at our border with a child

has meant that they will bereleased into the United States

to wait for court proceedings

that could take five years or more.

- [Jenna] Democrats arealso blasting the change,

accusing the president ofwanting to punish children.

- This president is absolutely determined

to carry out maximum cruelty

with those children who are brown.

- [Jenna] Speaker ofthe House Nancy Pelosi

adding in a statement, quote:

The administration is seekingto codify child abuse.

President Trump sayscongressional inaction

is creating the crisis at the border.

- If the Democrats would meet

and we could fix the loopholes and asylum,

which is what you'retalking about to an extent,

but let me just tell you,

very much I have the children on my mind.

It bothers me very greatly.

- [Jenna] The presidentis also coming under fire

for considering endingbirthright citizenship,

which is guaranteed in the 14th Amendment.

- We're looking at that very seriously,

birthright citizenship, whereyou have a baby in our land,

you walk over the border, have a baby,

congratulations, thebaby's now a US citizen.

We're looking at it very, very seriously.

- The new rule would put morepressure on Congress to act.

It would take effect in 60 days,

but it already faces quitea few legal challenges,

so it could take longer.

In Washington, Jenna Browder, CBN News.