Family Separations At The Border: Minnesota Protests June 30

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Demonstrations opposing the Trump administration's policy of separating migrant families crossing the southwestern U.S. border are happening Minnesota and around the nation June 30.

Part of the administration's "zero tolerance" approach to illegal immigration, children are being separated from their families at the border while the parents are held for prosecution.

The demonstration in Minneapolis will be held Saturday, June 30 at 2 p.m. The location has yet to be determined.

Minnesota protests are currently planned for Albert Lea, Grand Rapids, Minneapolis, and Rochester.

The Trump administration has come under intense criticism from advocates, lawmakers and citizens for the policy of separating migrant children from their families. Last week, the Department of Homeland Security announced that nearly 2,000 children had been separated at the border over the period beginning April 19 and ending in May.

The children are being housed in detention facilities that have been compared to internment camps. Many lawmakers have marched to these facilities to try and get a look at how these immigrant children are being housed. U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, a Democrat from Texas, led a group of protesters to one such facility in south Texas on Father's Day. Another such facility is in Brownsville, Texas, where DHS officials arranged for reporters to tour the premises.

In chilling audio obtained by ProPublica that was recorded at a CBP facility, children can be heard crying for their parents.

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