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Susan Sarandon and a Democratic congresswoman were among nearly 600 people arrested during a rally against Donald Trump’s “zero-tolerance” immigration policy.

The demonstration outside a Department of Justice building in Washington came amid protests across the US over the separation of migrant families at the Mexico border.

Oscar winner Sarandon, 71 — who earlier this week shook hands with the Queen at a polo match in Surrey — waved as officers led her away.

Hundreds of other women, chanting anti-Trump slogans and carrying banners saying #FamiliesBelongTogether, were also arrested.

The star tweeted: “Arrested. Stay strong. Keep fighting. #WomenDisobey.”

She added: “Powerful, beautiful action with hundreds of women saying we demand the reunification of families separated by immoral ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency] policy. This is what Democracy looks like.”

Growing numbers of critics are calling for ICE to be scrapped. Washington Democratic congresswoman Pramila Jayapal tweeted: “I was just arrested with 500+ women and @womensmarch to say @realDonaldTrump’s cruel zero-tolerance policy will not continue. Not in our country. Not in our name.”

At the rally, she said: “We’re here to fight for our families to be free … for the ability of our kids to be with their parents, not in cages … able to live their lives free, safe and secure.”

Police said about 575 people were charged with unlawfully demonstrating inside the Hart Senate Office’s atrium. Officers said those arrested were being released after they were processed.

The sit-in in Washington was organised by two liberal groups, Women’s March and the Centre for Popular Democracy.

Hundreds took part in rallies in other states including Florida and Texas. Dozens of people shut down a government meeting in Michigan in protest against an ICE contract to house detainees at a local jail.

Eight were arrested outside an ICE building in Portland, Oregon, that has been closed because of a demonstration. Further protests are expected this weekend.

It follows widespread condemnation of the policy of separating immigrant children from their parents as they attempt to enter the US from Mexico.

More than 2,300 children have been herded into fenced enclosures at the border since the White House began enacting its tough stance in May, with anyone found entering the US illegally set for arrest and prosecution.

Mr Trump signed an executive order to end the separations, but around 2,000 children are still being held, with many families saying they have not known how to locate them.

Yesterday First Lady Melania Trump made her second visit to a border state since the controversy erupted, meeting people affected by her husband’s policies.

She told border officials in Tucson, Arizona: “I’m here to support you and give my help, whatever I can” on “behalf of children and the families”. Mrs Trump later visited a complex in Phoenix housing dozens of migrant children separated from their parents.

The president has called scenes at the border “phony stories of sadness”. This week, a Californian judge ruled that children taken from their families must be reunited within 30 days.