Hollywood star Susan Sarandon and a Democratic congresswoman were among hundreds of women arrested during a rally against Donald Trump's "zero-tolerance" immigration policy.

Following distressing scenes at the US-Mexico border that have been condemned across the country and internationally, more than 500 protesters took to the streets and gathered outside a Department of Justice building in Washington on Thursday to voice their anger.

Police confirmed that 575 people had been arrested and charged with unlawfully demonstrating during the rally, which featured anti-Trump chanting and banners sporting the hashtag #FamiliesBelongTogether.

:: Donald Trump's migrant border row explained

Image: More than 500 women were arrested at the protest

More than 2,300 children have been separated from their parents at the southern border since the White House began enacting its tough stance back in May, with anyone found to be entering the US illegally set for arrest and prosecution.


The crisis has dragged on despite the president partly backtracking over the policy and signing an executive order to stop separations, which prompted confusion among officials then tasked with reuniting youngsters who had already been detained away from their families.

Despite making the directive, Mr Trump has insisted he will maintain a hard-line approach to immigration, despite widespread opposition across the US.

Image: Immigration activists wrapped in silver blankets, symbolising immigrant children that were seen in similar blankets at a border detention facility in Texas

Following her arrest and subsequent release, Democrat 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."

She was joined at the rally in the capital by Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, who was pictured cheering on the protesters, and Oscar-winner Sarandon.

Image: Senator Elizabeth Warren cheered on demonstrators

The 71-year-old actress waved as she was led away by officers along with hundreds of other women.

"Arrested. Stay strong. Keep fighting. #WomenDisobey," the Hollywood star tweeted.

The protest in Washington was one of a number to have taken place in recent days, with dozens of people having taken part in rallies in other states, including Florida and Texas.

Image: Actress Susan Sarandon was among those led away by officers

Earlier this week, New York and California were among 17 states to sue the Trump administration in a bid to force thousands of the immigrant children to be reunited with their parents.

The Justice Department has also gone to court over the crisis in an attempt to overturn a decades-old settlement that limits the amount of time migrant children can be locked up with their families to 20 days.

When President Obama tried to house children in detention centres during an influx of youngsters in 2014, his policy was deemed illegal by a judge in California - and any indefinite stays will likely lead to legal challenges for Mr Trump, too.

The president was in an unapologetic mood over the fallout on Twitter last week, downplaying the scenes at the border as "phony stories of sadness and grief".