US: Nationwide protests against immigration policies start June 14

Event

Activists from the Families Belong Together group held protests in over 70 cities across the US on Thursday, June 14, to condemn methods used by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The controversy stems from ICE's practice of separating families seeking asylum at the US-Mexico border. Additional protests are planned in cities across the country, some in front of ICE facilities, in the coming days.

Context

The Trump administration has introduced several controversial immigration policies, including the prosecution of asylum-seekers with illegal entry at the border. Families traveling with minors who are detained at the border have also been separated. Under federal law, minors are protected from being housed in detention facilities and are instead housed in shelters or with sponsors. According to reports released in April 2018, federal agencies lost track of nearly 1500 such children, sparking widespread outrage with the ICE policy and prompting the current protests.

Advice

Individuals in the US are advised to keep abreast of the situation and avoid any demonstrations as a precaution.