The Hill reportsSanders fielded several questions on the issue during Thursday's press briefing, repeatedly deflecting blame onto Democrats. But CNN's Jim Acosta and Playboy's Brian Karem pressed Sanders on the morality of the policy.
When Acosta asked Sanders about Attorney General Jeff Sessions citing the Bible as justification for separating families, Sanders did not directly address Sessions's comments, but added that "it is very biblical to enforce the law."
"Where in the Bible does it say that it's OK to take children away from their parents?" Acosta interjected. "You just said it’s in the Bible to follow the law."
WATCH: During a tense exchange over immigration policy, White House Press Sec. Sanders tells CNN correspondent Jim Acosta that it is "hard for you to understand even short sentences, I guess." pic.twitter.com/qvGQe3WsIA— NBC News (@NBCNews) June 14, 2018
"I know it’s hard for you to understand even short sentences, I guess, but please don’t take my words out of context," Sanders retorted.
“How is it a moral policy to take children away from their parents,” Acosta asked. “Can you imagine the horror that these children must be going through when they’re coming across the border? Why is the government doing this?"
"Because it’s the law and that’s what the law states," Sanders responded.
Sessions announced last month that the Justice Department would enact a "zero tolerance" policy and aggressively prosecute adults attempting to cross the U.S.–Mexico border illegally. At the time, Sessions acknowledged the process could lead to children being separated from their parents upon being apprehended.
Trump administration officials have repeatedly defended the policy, arguing that it acts as a deterrent against illegal immigration.
On Thursday, Sanders echoed the president's frequent line of attack, laying blame on Democrats for the policy. Sanders charged Democratic lawmakers with failing to address flawed immigration laws.
"We would like to fix these loopholes, and if Democrats want to get serious about it instead of playing political games, they’re welcome to come here and sit down with the president and do something about it," Sanders said.
Karem then jumped in to question if Sanders felt empathy for the migrant children.
"Come on, Sarah. You’re a parent. Don’t you have any empathy for what these people are going through?" he asked.
Sanders circumvented the question, saying, "I know you want to get some more TV time but that’s not what this is about."
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