Families separated by the border meet for ‘hugs not walls’ event

Saturday hundreds of families met at the Mexican U.S. border to see each other for the first time, some in decades. It’s part of the Border Network of Human Right’s initiative “Hugs not Walls.”

This is the fourth time the organization has put on the event. Leaders say its a protest against U.S. immigration policies.

Families got just four minutes to hug, cry and talk with one another in person. Organizers say its to show that hugs will always remain powerful, in spite of those who want to build walls or tear families and communities apart.

The event comes as the issue of immigration continues to divide millions of Americans. Opponents say people who cross into the U.S. illegally should not be awarded with a path to citizenship.

Although since taking office, Trump has expressed empathy for the participants often called “dreamers,” many of whom have no memory of living anywhere but the United States. Cancelling the program could mean trying to deport more than 787,000 people who identified themselves to the government in exchange for temporary protection.

The Homeland Security Department said Thursday that the program would “remain in effect.”

Although President Trump has also spotlighted violence committed by immigrants, announcing the creation of a national office that can assist American victims of such crimes.