Hundreds in downtown Raleigh protest conditions at border

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Hundreds gathered Friday night as part of the Lights for Liberty event.

More than 800 of these vigils happened across the country to protest the inhumane conditions at the border faced by undocumented migrants, including children.

Community leaders and elected officials addressed the situation at the border as well as current immigration policy.

The event comes days before a massive deportation effort by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.

Though no action will happen in North Carolina, ICE has made clear that if you have a deportation order, it could be coming for you at any time.

"So many people are not speaking," said Joan McAlister, who has a background in foster care. "They feel badly about what's going on and they hate what's going on but they're not out saying this. We're supposed to be welcoming refugees and protecting them from the dangers that they're facing and that's not what we're doing."

ICE said it prioritizes the arrest and removal of people here illegally who pose a threat to national security, public safety and border security.