Acting Homeland Security secretary Kevin McAleenan abruptly abandoned a speech at a university after he was shouted down by protesters.

Speaking at a conference hosted by the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute at Georgetown Law in Washington DC, Mr McAleenan had barely begun his speech when pro-immigration activists appeared. They held signs that read “Hate is not normal”, changed and read out the names of children who have died at the US border under Donald Trump’s administration.

In a video obtained by Politico, Mr McAleenan appears instantly annoyed, and ends his remarks right away. He then walks off stage, as protesters continue to boo him.

The event was attended by immigration lawyers, as well as current and former DHS officials. Politico reports that many pro-migrant advocates were present.

The interruption is the latest is a series of public displays of solidarity for migrants during the Trump administration, and, like so many others, comes after yet another attack on those trying to enter the country from the southern border.

'Dangerous' overcrowding of migrants in US border facilities Show all 6 1 /6 'Dangerous' overcrowding of migrants in US border facilities 'Dangerous' overcrowding of migrants in US border facilities Photos of detained migrants crowded into cells at the US border - with one holding up a sign reading simply "help" - have been released as part of a new report warning of "dangerous" overcrowding. The memo was sent to the Department of Homeland Security by its Inspector General, containing photos taken at border facilities in the Rio Grande Valley over a week in June DHS/OIG 'Dangerous' overcrowding of migrants in US border facilities Eighty-eight adult males held in a cell with a maximum capacity of 41, some signalling prolonged detention to OIG Staff on June 12 DHS/OIG 'Dangerous' overcrowding of migrants in US border facilities Overcrowding of families observed by OIG on June 11, at a border patrol facility in Weslaco, Texas DHS/OIG 'Dangerous' overcrowding of migrants in US border facilities Migrant families overcrowding a border patrol facility on June 11 in McAllen, Texas DHS/OIG 'Dangerous' overcrowding of migrants in US border facilities Fifty-one adult females held in a cell designated for male juveniles with a capacity for 40 at Border Patrol’s Fort Brown Station DHS/OIG 'Dangerous' overcrowding of migrants in US border facilities Migrant families overcrowding a border patrol facility on June 11 in McAllen, Texas DHS/OIG

This time, it was Mr Trump’s Friday night declaration that immigrants will have to prove they have either health insurance or are capable of paying for medical expenses before they can be issued a visa. Like most of the administration’s more controversial proclamations, the rule is expected to be challenged.

Mr McAleenan has said that the Trump administration’s family separation policy, which he recommended, “went too far”.

It’s unclear what his speech on Monday was to be about, as he was not able to give very much of it before protesters began heckling him.

“When immigrants are under attack,” they chanted as he attempted to talk, “What do we do? Stand up, fight back!”