Community members gathered outside the state Capitol Thursday evening, protesting the incoming Trump administration's immigration plans.

Members of the group, which included Assemblymember Pat Fahy, expressed that they braved the cold and rain to stand up for those they feel are directly in harm's way as a result of Trump’s victory.

Organizers told Spectrum News 1 they consider Albany a “safe city” for individuals who are being targeted by the incoming administration’s policies, and their goal is to make that clear in a “proactive” demonstration of support.

Planning to declare a state of emergency, Trump has expressed a desire to initiate a mass deportation of undocumented immigrants, the closure of the southern border, ending birthright citizenship and more.

The president-elect has also tapped upstate New York native Tom Homan as his "border czar," tasked with carrying out many of his campaign promises. Homan is former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from 2017 to 2018. Additionally, his other cabinet picks indicate that he will be surrounding himself with others who will likewise work to implement those policies.

Organizers stressed that in addition to Trump’s current policy objectives, memories of his first term in office are clear.

“One of the biggest concerns is that on day one he is looking to target our communities, looking to mass deport 20 million people, something that we know is not likely. It's not practical, it's not feasible,” said Jaharia Roldan of the New York Immigration Coalition.

Asked her response to the widespread political support that Trump received in this year’s election and the fact that immigration concerns were a cornerstone of that support, Roldan pointed to the past.

“Immigrants have always been the scapegoat in the U.S. Historically, we have always been the easiest to blame for the economy or whatever it may be, but, in fact, immigrants contribute to our economy.”

Several state lawmakers have told Spectrum News 1 in recent weeks that a Trump administration will influence a host of new immigration policies and other legislation to be introduced when the next session begins here in January, including expanded employment opportunities for asylum seekers, proposals to focus on more services to educate New York immigrants how to interact with ICE and a continued effort to limit how state and local police can interact with ICE.