The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told reporters on Tuesday that 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 has not visited a migrant detention center that houses children since the creation of a policy separating migrant families.

According to NBC News White House correspondent Geoff Bennet, Nielsen has made two recent visits. The first was to Otay Mesa, a detention center in San Diego along the U.S.-Mexico border, before the policy went into effect. The second visit was to Nogales, a 72-hour hold facility that does not house children, on June 1, after the policy went into effect.

NEW: @DHSgov tells us Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen recently visited detention centers on two occasions: A visit in March to Otay Mesa BEFORE the family separation policy was in place. And on June 1, 2018 to Nogales -- a 72-hour hold facility which does not house children. — Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) June 19, 2018

The statement from DHS comes as Nielsen has fiercely defended the "zero tolerance" immigration policy and has asserted that holding facilities offer good living conditions.

ADVERTISEMENT

"It is important to note that these minors are very well taken care of — don’t believe the press," Nielsen said to the National Sheriff's Association on Monday.

"They are very well taken care of — you know this, as many of you have detention facilities of your own," she added.

According to The Associated Press, about 2,000 migrant children have been separated from their parents since the Trump administration announced it would criminally prosecute all adults attempting to illegally cross the southern border into the U.S., resulting in some families being separated.

The policy has come under fire from all sides, with Republicans and Democrats alike criticizing the rule. Some lawmakers have visited detention centers, sparking further criticism and debate over immigrants' living conditions.

Nielsen maintained that the conditions are "some of the highest" in the country.

"We provide food, medical, education and all the needs of the child — but let's be honest, there are some who would like us to look the other way dealing with families at the border and not enforce the law," said Nielsen.

The Trump administration has hit Democrats for the policy and asserted that Congress can fix the issue by passing immigration reform.