Washington, Feb 20 (IANS): The policies carried out by US President Donald Trump's administration to stem the flow of undocumented migrants across the US-Mexico border constitute crimes against humanity, Democratic presidential candidate and billionaire hedge-fund manager Tom Steyer said.

In an exclusive interview with Efe news, Steyer said the issue was so personal for him that he has spent millions of dollars over several decades to help provide legal assistance to people facing possible deportation.

When asked how would he change President Trump's current immigration policy if elected, Steyer said: "I would stop the crimes against humanity at the border on the first day... I'm for DACA and DAPA and TPS (temporary protected status for nationals of designated countries affected by armed conflict or natural disaster, allowing them to live and work in the US for a limited time).

"I'm for comprehensive immigration reform to give the 12 million people who've lived here an average of 15 years legal status and a path to citizenship."

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) were executive orders issued by former President Barack Obama to temporarily halt the deportation of undocumented immigrants who entered the US as children and undocumented migrants who are parents of US citizens or lawful permanent residents, respectively.

The New York City native, who did not win any pledged delegates at the first two nominating contests earlier this month in Iowa and New Hampshire, is hoping that a strong performance in Saturday's Nevada caucuses will provide a big boost to his candidacy.

To that end, he has poured a large chunk of campaign cash into television, radio, social media and billboard ads in the 'Silver State'.

The 62-year-old Steyer had announced his presidential campaign last July.