Hundreds Protest Immigration Policy at Boston State House

Hundreds of protesters rallied at the Massachusetts State House in Boston on June 20, protesting the Trump Administration’s policy of separating children from their parents as they arrive illegally, seeking asylum, over the US border with Mexico.

A number of protesters entered the building to try to speak with Governor Charlie Baker, a Republican, reports said. This video shows demonstrators inside the State House chanting: “This is what democracy looks like.”

US President Donald Trump and several of his officials had blamed Congress for the policy, and insisted current immigration laws meant they were bound to separate families. A few hours after the Boston protest began, and after pressure from the wider public and both Democrats and Republicans, Trump signed an executive order, entitled ‘Affording Congress an Opportunity to Address Family Separation,’ which he said would put an end to the policy of separating families.

The opening paragraph of the executive order says: “It is unfortunate that Congress’s failure to act and court orders have put the Administration in the position of separating alien families to effectively enforce the law.”

Trump also said his administration would continue to enforce a “zero tolerance” policy on illegal border crossings. Credit: Molly Lanza via Storyful