Children must not be traumatised by being separated from their parents, UN chief Antonio Guterres has said amid a growing backlash over US President Donald Trump's hardline immigration policy which has resulted in the separation of hundreds of migrant families.


The Trump administration's zero tolerance policy seeks prosecution for any adult crossing the southern border illegally.


The number of separations has jumped since early May, when Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that all migrants illegally crossing the US border with Mexico would be arrested, regardless of whether the adults were seeking asylum.


Since children cannot be sent to the facilities where their parents are held, they are separated, "As a matter of principle, the Secretary-General believes that refugees and migrants should always be treated with respect and dignity, and in accordance with existing international law," a statement issued by Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric said yesterday.


"Children must not be traumatized by being separated from their parents. Family unity must be preserved," the statement added. The Secretary General defended the rights of migrant and refugee children, but did not single out the US. -- PTI