'Refugees Welcome' sign unfurled by activists on Statue Of Liberty in New York

Activists have scaled the Statue of Liberty and unfurled a "Refugees Welcome" banner across the national monument in New York.

The protest took place on the day the Department of Homeland Security announced tougher immigration rules - and after Donald Trump announced he was working on a new travel ban.

National park rangers quickly removed the 3ft by 20ft red and white sign from the public observation deck at the top of the statue's pedestal on Tuesday afternoon.

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However, not before images of the protest went viral on social media.

Activists calling themselves Alt Lady Liberty later claimed responsibility for the stunt, posting a photograph on Twitter with the caption: "We must heed the words of Lady Liberty: #RefugeesWelcome."

They said in a statement to CNN: "Almost all Americans have descendants from somewhere else. Immigrants and refugees make this country great. And turning away refugees, like we did to Anne Frank, does not make us great. Refugees are welcome here, Muslims are welcome here and immigrants are welcome here.

"And it's not just our ancestors. Every American knows an immigrant or a refugee. We wanted to send a reminder about America when we're at our best - the country that's a beacon of freedom to the world, built by immigrants.

"Walling off countries or entire religions is against our values. That's what the Statue of Liberty stands for."

Fixing a banner to the Statue of Liberty is illegal and an investigation into the stunt is under way.

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Mr Trump has shown no sign of backing down on his efforts to restrict immigration and to stop potential terrorists from entering the country.

After being forced to consider a brand new executive order to help revive his controversial travel ban, he has said it is likely that "very little" would be changed.

He has previously tweeted a poll which showed 55% of those who voted thought the travel ban was his most popular order so far.

But moves to ban migrants, visitors and refugees from Iraq, Iran, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, Libya and Sudan - and to build a wall along the US border with Mexico - have triggered anti-Trump protests at home and abroad.