Massachusetts

Immigrant groups protest separation of migrant families

BOSTON — Hundreds of activists have flooded the halls of the Massachusetts Statehouse to protest the Trump administration policy of separating children from families after they are detained crossing the U.S. border illegally.

Protesters held signs that read "Families Belong Together" and "History is Watching."

They gathered outside the Statehouse, temporarily shutting down Beacon Street before funneling into the building, gathering in front of the House chamber chanting "the people united with never be divided" in English and Spanish.

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Protestors have gathered at the Massachusetts state house to call for end to separation of migrant families at the U.S. border

Posted by Boston 25 News on Wednesday, June 20, 2018

LATEST: Trump says he'll 'be signing something' to end migrant family separations

The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition and other groups said beforehand that they would gather at the State House steps Wednesday at approximately 12:30 p.m. and march into the government building with protest signs.

MORE: Hundreds expected to protest separation of families at the border

Organizers, including MIRA, say they want to call attention to the family separations as well as to urge Massachusetts lawmakers to approve protections for immigrants.

President Donald Trump said he would sign an executive order later Wednesday ending the process of separating children from families

Governor Baker released the following statement:

"Governor Baker opposes a sanctuary state and this amendment does not address the issue of creating clear guidelines for state and local law enforcement to work with federal immigration officials to detain violent and dangerous criminals convicted of heinous crimes like rape and murder, as the governor's legislation would."

>> MORE FROM BOSTON 25 NEWS:

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No clear plan yet on how to reunite parents with children
5 living first ladies speak out on separation of immigrant children, parents at border
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