U2's Bono calls on US lawmakers to end family separations

Irish rocker and global activist Bono met with American lawmakers Tuesday, urging them to press President Donald Trump to abandon his "completely un-American" practice of separating families at the southern border with Mexico.

Fresh off concerts in the Washington area this week, the U2 frontman met with Republicans and Democrats and addressed the plight of thousands of children who have been separated from their parents as they illegally crossed into the United States.

"I've been talking to lots of Republicans," Bono told AFP as he and aides navigated through the US Capitol.

"They say they want to fix the situation, but it just has to stop," he added. "It's completely un-American."

Trump has come under fire for a "zero tolerance" policy that requires prosecuting anyone caught crossing the border illegally, which leads to children being separated from their detained parents.

Bono, who co-founded the ONE Campaign that is working to end extreme poverty and fight HIV/Aids, was on Capitol Hill to thank lawmakers for funding international development programs.

The programs have saved millions of lives, particularly in Africa.