WASHINGTON - US House Speaker Paul Ryan said Wednesday that the chamber will vote on immigration legislation on Thursday that would bring an end to the controversial practice of separating families who illegally cross the US border.

"We do not want children taken away from their parents," Ryan told reporters. "We can enforce our immigration laws without breaking families apart."

"Tomorrow, the House will vote on legislation to keep families together," the top Republican in the chamber said.

The Trump administration has been roundly criticized for its "zero-tolerance" policy against illegal entry, under which an adult caught crossing the border illegally will be detained and prosecuted, forcing separations from their children.