ALBANY, N.Y. -- An emotional rally was held Wednesday morning at the Million Dollar Staircase, as many Democratic legislators called for the end of the Trump administration's policy of separating immigrant children from their families.

"When you hear those children and those voices sitting in cages right now saying 'mami, papi,' it doesn't take a linguist or diversity to understand this is a crisis," said Assemblyman Marcos Crespo.

While state legislators have no say over the federal policy -- which President Donald Trump said he would be addressing later Wednesday by executive order -- they are calling on their constituents and residents of New York to keep the call for action alive.

"When government separates children from their parents in this inhumane way, it causes you to question what we are all about," said Assemblyman Joe Morelle.