SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Chanting and waving signs, about 100 protesters gathered today outside a Syracuse school where Ivanka Trump, the president's daughter and adviser, attended a roundtable discussion.

Many of the protesters said they were upset about the separation of immigrant families at the U.S. border, and they blamed Trump and her father for allowing children to be separated from their parents.

As Trump's motorcade passed by the protesters, they chanted "Shame" and "What about the children?"

Ivanka Trump attended a discussion of education and work force development programs at the Institute of Technology at Central High School. U.S. Rep. John Katko, R-Camillus, also attended.

Katko shared in the protesters' wrath. Demonstrators held up signs saying "Shame on Katko'' and shouted slogans denouncing him as complicit with the Trump administration.

Dana Balter, a Democrat who is running against Katko in the November election, attended the rally.

Katko has had a complex relationship with President Trump, but he drew no sympathy from the demonstrators. Katko refused to support Trump in the 2016 presidential election, even after Trump received the Republican nomination.

In October 2016, Katko called for Trump to drop out of the presidential race because of his vulgar comments about women.

When Trump stayed in the race, Katko voted for former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley by writing in her name on the presidential ballot line.

Katko has opposed the president's positions on key issues that include the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, immigration reform, and proposed cuts to Medicaid and food stamps. Last month, Katko criticized the Trump administration for its policy that separated hundreds of immigrant children from their families at the border.

Katko supported Trump's tax cuts, saying they would boost business.

Many of the protesters cited a variety of President Trump's actions as their reason to protest, but most returned to the subject of immigrant children.

Katie Barrett, of Camillus, said she is upset about health insurance rate increases, which she blames on the repeal of the individual mandate that was part of Trump's tax reform package. Barrett said her rates for an individual health policy purchased off the state exchange increased $700 this year and will increase another $1,000 next year.

But Barrett said the issue that bothers her most is the separation of immigrant families. She held a sign that said "What if it were your children?''

"This is what keeps me up at night,'' she said.

Jim Doherty, a retired Syracuse city school teacher, said he opposes President Trump's anti-immigration policies. Since retiring, Doherty has tutored mostly immigrant high school students at Nottingham and Henninger high schools, an experience he described as "really gratifying.''

Understanding the difficulties many of their parents endured, the students work hard and appreciate their educational opportunities, Doherty said.

"I think we need them as much as they need us,'' he said.

Contact reporter Tim Knauss | email | Twitter | 315-470-3023