Former President Bill Clinton William (Bill) Jefferson ClintonEpstein podcast host says he affiliated with elites from 'both sides of the aisle' Ruth Bader Ginsburg lies in repose at Supreme Court Business groups start gaming out a Biden administration MORE this week slammed President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE's "zero tolerance" policy that resulted in separating families at the border, saying that "children should not be bargaining chips."

“Taking these kids away from their parents makes no sense,” Clinton said Thursday at an event for his new book in Chicago, according to CNN. “It’s wrong. It’s immoral. It’s not required by the law. And it’s not necessary to protect the border. It’s just wrong."

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He added that “children should not be bargaining chips," and that "they are people."

"I not only want this to stop, I want them to go get these kids that have already been sent away and give them back to their parents and do it right now," he said.

Clinton's condemnation of the policy comes two days after the president signed an executive order to end a policy that resulted in thousands of children being separated from their parents. It is not yet clear how or when the families already divided under the policy will be reunited. The administration began implementing the policy widely in April.

Trump signed the order after facing increasing pressure from Republican and Democratic lawmakers. Former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonDemocratic groups using Bloomberg money to launch M in Spanish language ads in Florida The Hill's Campaign Report: Presidential polls tighten weeks out from Election Day More than 50 Latino faith leaders endorse Biden MORE was one of the many people to criticize the policy and Trump's defense of it earlier this week.

“Separating families is not mandated by law at all. That is an outright lie," she said. "It’s incumbent on all of us, journalists and citizens alike, to call it just that.”

Many lawmakers continue to question the Trump administration over the policy. On Thursday, Rep. Adam Schiff Adam Bennett SchiffPelosi, Democrats unveil bills to rein in alleged White House abuses of power Chris Matthews ripped for complimenting Trump's 'true presidential behavior' on Ginsburg Trump casts doubt on Ginsburg statement, wonders if it was written by Schiff, Pelosi or Schumer MORE (D-Calif.) tweeted that Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen Kirstjen Michele NielsenMore than million in DHS contracts awarded to firm of acting secretary's wife: report DHS IG won't investigate after watchdog said Wolf, Cuccinelli appointments violated law Appeals court sides with Trump over drawdown of immigrant protections MORE privately told lawmakers that despite Trump signing an executive order, the practice of separating families could continue.

Trump has repeatedly insisted this week that Congress enact broad immigration reform that includes heightened border security. The House intends to vote on a compromise immigration bill next week and has already rejected a hard-line immigration bill.