US should stop detaining migrants, separating children - UN

The United Nations called on the United States on Tuesday to stop detaining irregular migrant families and separating children at the southern border, saying it contravened the law.

"The US should immediately halt this practice of separating families and stop criminalising what should at most be an administrative offence – that of irregular entry or stay in the US," UN human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told a briefing.

Most crossing the US southern border are from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, where rampant violence would give them the right to international protection, UN refugee agency spokesman William Spindler said, adding: "Detention should be the last resort."