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Anger Over Trump Ban Stirs Protests at L.A. Airport

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Protesters at Los Angeles International Airport on Jan. 29, 2017, hold signs during a rally against the immigration ban imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.  (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Chanting "Let them in" and "Immigrants are welcome here," thousands of people jammed Los Angeles International Airport for a second day of protests on Sunday against President Trump's new immigration policies.

Those policies temporarily bar refugees (those from Syria indefinitely) and travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries. Many people were already en route to the U.S. when Trump signed the order, and it's unclear how many travelers have been detained at Los Angeles International Airport under it.

Amir Ghayoomi, a protester at the airport and a graduate student from Iran, said he'd been looking forward to a visit in March from his parents, who he hasn't seen in five years. Now those plans are in doubt since Iran is one of the countries named in Trump's order.

"Donald Trump is attacking my people, not my government," said Ghayoomi, who held a handmade sign reading, "I am an Iranian. Not a terrorist!"

Attorneys from the American Immigration Lawyer's Association, ACLU and other legal aid groups were at the airport offering help. Some of them held signs like "I am an attorney. Are you still waiting for a relative?"

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As of late Sunday, it was unclear how many people may still be detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents, but protesters said they weren't leaving until everyone was released.

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