AUBURN, N.Y. -- Vice President Mike Pence visited Nucor in Cayuga County Tuesday, calling the company a symbol of success for American-made steel, alongside Representative John Katko.

“Since 1974, this mill in Auburn has led the way in producing world-class rebar. And as your recent expansion demonstrates under President Trump, we are forging a new American future built on American steel,” Pence said.

The vice president credited the passage of the GOP tax plan for the company's recent growth.

While Pence was met with protests outside the event, workers who came to listen to his remarks couldn't get enough.

“This administration supports steel. And, it's great for our company; it's great for the country,” said Jim Waite, a Nucor worker.

But, steel isn't the only issue making headlines this week -- it's also the images of children separated from their parents at the border.

"It is tragic that these failed immigration policies have created this incentive for vulnerable families and literally put vulnerable adults and children in danger. This is simply unacceptable. And I want to assure my fellow Americans gathered here today that's the case," Pence said.

“We've gotta find a better way. We've got to secure the border, but separating parents from their children at the border is not the way to go for me,” said Congressman John Katko, R-Syracuse.

Katko also addressed the administration's new tariffs on steel imported from the EU, Mexico and Canada.

“You know, it's a good and bad issue, right, for here? They've been getting screwed for decades with unfair trade practices in foreign countries. It's an industry by industry thing, but what the president is trying to say and what I’ve felt forever, is that we've gotta balance the playing field,” Katko said.

And in turn giving companies like Nucor a chance to build.