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Baker calls border policy 'inhumane', axes plan to send National Guard

BOSTON — Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has rescinded the state's offer to send National Guard members to the U.S. border, he told Boston 25 News Monday morning.

Earlier this month, it was reported the Mass. National Guard would be sending a two-person flight crew to the southwestern border to support President Donald Trump's efforts to curb illegal border crossings.

The plan to support came after the administration asked states to contribute to its campaign against illegal immigration.

But after a national uproar over the administration's refusal to curb the separation of children from parents and reports of inhumane conditions at border detention camps

Democratic candidate for governor Jay Gonzalez criticized Governor Baker's move to comply with the president's request recently, saying it's "wrong" for Baker to send a Mass. National Guard Helicopter and crew to the border.

MORE: Mass. immigration advocates say for many, it's 'emigrate to another country or die'

But in an interview with Boston 25 News Monday morning, Gov. Baker said he would not be sending support to the border.

He said children being separated from their parents is "inhumane."

Former first lady Laura Bush criticized the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" policy on illegal immigration as "cruel" in a Washington Post op-ed Sunday.

First lady Melania Trump also shared her thoughts on the issue Sunday.

"Mrs. Trump hates to see children separated from their families and hopes both sides of the aisle can finally come together to achieve successful immigration reform," said her spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, according to CNN. "She believes we need to be a country that follows all laws, but also a country that governs with heart."

MORE: Laura Bush, Melania Trump speak out on separation of immigrant children, parents at border