Women and their children crossing together illegally into the United States could be separated by U.S. authorities under a proposal being considered by the Department of Homeland Security, according to three government officials.

Part of the reason is to deter mothers from migrating to the United States with their children.

The policy shift would allow the government to keep parents in custody while they contest deportation or wait for asylum hearings. Children would be put into protective custody with the Department of Health and Human Services in the "least restrictive setting" until they can be taken into the care of a U.S. relative or state-sponsored guardian.