At the Capitol on Friday, police acted as a barricade between protesters to prevent any violence that might erupt from heated arguments over illegal immigration.

Officers arrested one protester from each side after they had a "small skirmish," State Police Lt. Brody Boucher said. They are both charged with simple assault.

Members of both sides continually screamed expletives and threats at one another past the shoulders of Capitol police officers who were backed by numerous Lansing Police officers.

In other displays, the sides chanted back and forth — with one group shouting "USA" and the opposing group shouting "amnesty" back.

The anti-illegal immigration protest at the Capitol is one of many occurring across the country on Friday, Dave McKellar, a commander for the Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia, said.

McKellar said protesters are furious tax money is being spent on supporting children who entered the country illegally. Rather, McKellar said, tax money should fund infrastructure and social programs for citizens and those who legally immigrate.

He likened the situation to someone buying the first round of drinks for friends, then sticking them with the bill.

"Who foots the bill?" McKellar said. "Michigan does."

The anti-illegal immigration protesters were met by counter-protesters from By Any Means Necessary, or BAMN, an organization that takes up immigrant rights, among other issues.

BAMN national organizer Yvette Felarca said immigrants have a right to asylum, especially children, when faced with violence in their home countries.

"We want America to fulfill its promise of freedom, justice and equality for all," she said. "This nation has always been a nation of immigrants and it will always be a nation of immigrants."