The protesters met with the mayor’s staff, but said they were unable to speak with Bowser herself. Monday’s protest comes after hundreds of people gathered in Columbia Heights last month to denounce the arrests.

Bowser defended her record on immigration issues.

“Washington, D.C. is a sanctuary city. We protect the rights and humanity of all our residents, and our D.C. values and our local culture are guided by a celebration of diversity and inclusivity,” the mayor wrote in a statement to The Hill. Sanctuary cities do not enforce federal immigration laws.

Bowser also touted efforts that her administration has made to protect immigrants, including the Immigrant Justice Legal Services Grant Program, which ensures they “have access to the resources they need to understand their rights and find legal support,” according to Bowser.

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