US President Donald Trump

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US Homeland Security secretary Kirstjen Nielsen drafted the document, which ends the controversial practice of splitting children up from their parents when they arrive at the border without the necessary paperwork. Mr Trump had previously confirmed that he would be "signing something" stressing that he is keen to keep families togther. Ms Nielsen, who was today booed after visiting a Mexican restaurant, according to the BBC, arrived at the White House earlier to discuss the situation with Mr Trump's team. Mr Trump's apparent climbdown follows days of tough tweets on the subject, in which he pointed the finger of blame at rival Democrats.

Earlier today, he tweeted: "It’s the Democrats fault, they won’t give us the votes needed to pass good immigration legislation. "They want open borders, which breeds horrible crime. "Republicans want security. "But I am working on something – it never ends!"

Brutal magazine cover designs of Donald Trump Fri, February 2, 2018 Over the past year magazines have sparked controversy with their covers depicting Donald Trump in a negative light Play slideshow Time 1 of 7 American weekly magazine Time uses an illustration depicting Donald Trump having a 'meltdown'

It's about keeping families together while at the same time making sure that we have a very powerful, very strong border US President Donald Trump

The order requires that immigrant families be detained together when they are caught entering the country illegally, although it was not immediately clear for how long. It also moves parents with children to the front of the line for immigration proceedings. The order does not end a "zero tolerance" policy that calls for criminal prosecution of immigrants crossing the border illegally. Speaking as he signed the order in a hastily-organised Oval Office gathering, Mr Trump said: "It's about keeping families together while at the same time making sure that we have a very powerful, very strong border." Videos of youngsters in cages and an audiotape of wailing children had sparked anger in the United States from groups ranging from clergy to influential business leaders, as well as condemnation from abroad, including Pope Francis.

Pope Francis is among Mr Trump's critics

Trump, a frequent viewer of cable television newscasts, had recognized the family separation issue was a growing political problem, White House sources said. First lady Melania Trump, in private conversations with the president, urged him to do something, a White House official said. An official said: "The first lady has been making her opinion known to the president for some time now, which was that he needed to do all he could to help families stay together." Wednesday's move marked a rare instance since Trump took office in January 2017 in which he has changed course on a controversial policy, rather than digging in.

Mr Trump's wife Melania is also thought to have urged him to change his mind