Thousands rally to protest Trump’s immigration plans

Washington, July 1

Tens of thousands of people, including Indian Americans, took to streets in several US cities to protest against controversial immigration policies of President Donald Trump which has resulted in separation of children of illegal immigrants.

The Trump administration’s controversial “zero tolerance” policy of separating immigrant parents and their children on the US border has resulted in the separation of nearly 2,000 children from their parents and guardians, sparking a public outcry.

Hundreds of people braved scorching sun at a park near the White House here to protest immigration policies of President Trump.

Similar protests were held in cities and towns across the country mostly led by Democratic party leaders and rights activists yesterday demanded that Trump’s immigration policies be humane and under no circumstances separate kids from their parents who cross the border illegally.

Trump, however, insisted that there should be zero tolerance for those crossing the border illegally and they need to be deported.

“When people come into our country illegally, we must immediately escort them back out without going through years of legal manoeuvring. Our laws are the dumbest anywhere in the world,” Trump tweeted as large number of people came out on streets and in public places including outside the White House against his immigration policies.

“Republicans want strong borders and no crime. Dems want open borders and are weak on crime!” alleged the US President.

“We’re here to say to Trump: End this zero-tolerance policy,” Indian American Congresswoman Pramila said at the Washington rally organised by a coalition of organisations formed American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, National Domestic Workers Alliance and Move On.

So far more than 2,300 children have been separated from their parents after being arrested by the US law enforcement agencies after they illegally crossed the border.

“Get these kids out of cages and reunite them with their parents,” Jayapal said at the rally christened ‘Families Belong Together,’ which among others was joined by a number of celebrities, including Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter Alicia Keys, Diane Guerrero, a star on Netflix’s ‘Orange is the New Black,’ and ‘Hamilton’ creator Lin-Manuel Miranda.

In Atlanta, the legendary civil rights leaders and Congressman John Lewis, 78, slammed Trump for his immigration policies.

The public outcry in the wake of images and stories of the children caught in the middle of Trump’s immigration policy has sparked a fierce debate in the US. — PTI