Rep. Luis Gutiérrez (D-Ill.) said Sunday he would encourage 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 to “be a dad” to the children being separated from their parents as part of the administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration.

“Just be a dad. I’m sure you love your children. Love these children the same way you love your own,” Gutiérrez said on CNN.

“Be a dad for one moment,” he added. “Don’t be president. Be a dad.”

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Attorney General Jeff Sessions Jefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsGOP set to release controversial Biden report Trump's policies on refugees are as simple as ABCs Ocasio-Cortez, Velázquez call for convention to decide Puerto Rico status MORE announced earlier this year 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.

Democrats and Republicans, however, have spoken out against the practice.

Amid the pushback against family separation, House Republicans have pushed party leadership to take up immigration legislation that would address border security and the fate of young immigrants in the country illegally.

Republican leaders reached an agreement to hold two votes next week on a pair of immigration bills. Trump is scheduled to meet with Republican lawmakers on Tuesday.

Gutiérrez said Sunday that Democrats should not endorse either piece of legislation, arguing the bills would not address the issue of family separation.