The cross-country protests were coordinated by the group För en human migrationspolitik (for humane immigration policy).
In Stockholm, organisers claimed around 2,000 people joined the demonstration at the Norrmalmstorg square, featuring speakers such as Green Party MEP Alice Bah, climate activist Greta Thunberg and former Social Democrat heavyweight Carl Tham.
"There are no words to describe my anger and shame," the Aftonbladet newspaper, which described the crowds as "hundreds of people", quoted Thunberg as saying.
Similar protests were organised across Sweden in December last year. Given the government's recent announced back-tracking on some of the most widely criticised immigration policies, organisers believe previous demonstrations have had an effect and want to keep the pressure on.
"In Malmö, there was a good turnout to the demonstration despite heavy rain, with several hundred people coming to chant, drum, and listen to speeches," said The Local’s Nordic Editor Richard Orange.
"The protest was led by pro-migration groups such as Refugees Welcome Sverige, Ensamkommandes Förbund, Malmö Antirasistiska Förening, and Amnesty Malmö, as well as the Church of Sweden, ABF Malmö, and the Malmö Red Cross."
In the city of Örebro, the demonstration was co-organised by a number of trade unions, the Church of Sweden and Stadsmissionen charity, and focused on the controversial "teen deportations", which were halted on March 6th, reported public broadcaster SVT.
"The pause is disastrously insufficient. Those who have already received a deportation notice are not affected," Leo Rudberg, who took the initiative to protest, told SVT.
Migration Minister Johan Forssell blamed the teen deportations on the previous government and insisted the current government was trying to stop them.
He also argued that the stricter reforms carried out by the government and the Sweden Democrats were necessary to bring down asylum immigration numbers.
"It is impossible to return to old migration policies without it leading to a bunch of unfortunate consequences," Forssell told SVT.
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