Marc Short argues family separations at the border are ‘binary choice,’ but stats say otherwise

CNN — White House legislative director Marc Short on Monday defended the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” policy for illegal border crossings, which has led to children being separated from their parents. In his interview with Wolf Blitzer on CNN’s “The Situation Room,” Short claimed the choice between separating children from their parents or allowing them into the country illegally was “binary.” “To separate the children, or instead, within 20 days, to let the parents and the children go free into society with the expectation they show up for court,” Short said. According to the annual Justice Department yearbook of immigration statistics from fiscal year 2016, the most recent year for which data is available, 25% of immigration court cases were decided “in absentia” – without defendants. “According to ICE, overall program compliance for all five regions is an average of 99 percent for ICE check-ins and appointments, as well as 100 percent attendance at court hearings,” the report said.