WASHINGTON — Twenty protesters were arrested outside the White House during an immigration demonstration on Thursday.
Members of area churches and CASA members were among the 100 to 200 activists protesting the Trump administration’s approach to immigration, which they called “inhumane.”
Alma Couverthie, senior director of organization for CASA of Maryland, said the case of Liliana Mendez highlights their concerns.
The Falls Church woman was targeted for deportation after living in the United States for more than a decade illegally. Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe got involved in the case, pardoning Mendez for a traffic infraction on her record in hopes of delaying her deportation.
Couverthie said authorities were wrong to target people like Mendez, a 30-year-old mother of two, if the Trump administration wants to deport those immigrants who are committing crimes and posing a threat to communities.
The 20 protesters were arrested and processed one by one by U.S. Park Police, who set up a tent to identify and search each protester out of view of the crowds.
While the arrests took place in an orderly fashion, the crowd of protesters chanted “We are proud of you!” to the arrestees.
