State Department trolled over 'traveling with kids' tips amid family separation uproar

June 19, 2018June 19, 2018 WKXA

ABC News(WASHINGTON) — An informational State Department Facebook Live session Tuesday morning quickly prompted a barrage of mocking responses to two agency employees giving parents advice on obtaining passports for their children.

The live event, hosted by the Bureau of Consular Affairs to answer “your questions about traveling with kids,” came amid the uproar over a Trump administration policy that has led to children being separated from parents apprehended crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally.

The video, on what normally might have been a non-controversial topic, quickly generated backlash from social media users, who cast the online event as tone deaf and trolled the State Department in a series of posts. ABC News has reached out to the State Department for comment.

“do you guys just have terrible PR timing, or are you actively trolling the thousands of families who traveled to the US and had their children taken away?” one Twitter user wrote in response to a tweet promoting the session.

“This is perfect timing. Are you simulcasting in spanish?” another Twitter user wrote.

Audio of a so-called “orchestra” of young migrant children fighting through tears and crying “Mami” and “Papa,” which was first obtained by ProPublica, was released on Monday, prompting emotional responses from Democrats and Republicans alike.

The recording was captured last week and given to Jennifer Harbury, a civil rights attorney who confirmed its authenticity to ABC News.