SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico’s Republican congressional candidate in a district along the border with Mexico is blaming Congress for an immigration crisis that has led to the separation of immigrant children from their parents.

In a statement Monday, Herrell said she supports Trump’s zero-tolerance policy on border security.

Nearly 2,000 children were separated from their families over a six-week period in April and May under the Trump administration’s response to illegal border crossings.

Herrell describes the separation of children from their families as unacceptable and the result of years of inaction by Congress. She is running against Democratic attorney Xochitl Torres Small.

Congressman Steve Pearce will not seek re-election to the seat as he campaigns for governor. Trump won the vote in the 1st District in 2016, though he lost statewide.

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