As the Trump administration continues to fend off criticism of its haphazard mass deportation efforts, Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday pushed back on reports that three young children who are U.

Lawyers say the families wanted the children to remain in the United States. The Trump administration says the mothers requested the children’s removal. The dispute has constitutional stakes.

The removals of three young U.S. citizens have intensified concerns about whether the Trump administration is violating the rights of citizens and noncitizens.