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US rallies for immigration reform US rallies for immigration reform
(about 14 hours later)
Thousands of people are taking part in marches in cities across the US to demand reform of immigration laws. Thousands of people have taken part in marches in cities across the US to demand reform of immigration laws.
They want to see better treatment for the estimated 12m illegal immigrants, many of them Latino, living in the US.They want to see better treatment for the estimated 12m illegal immigrants, many of them Latino, living in the US.
The turnout is not expected to match rallies held on 1 May last year, when more than a million people took part. Some 200,000 people joined rallies in 20 cities, but turnout was well below the million who marched on 1 May 2006.
Legislation which would offer a "path to citizenship" for illegal immigrants as well as tougher border controls is currently stalled in the US Congress.Legislation which would offer a "path to citizenship" for illegal immigrants as well as tougher border controls is currently stalled in the US Congress.
The Senate proposal, which included a guest worker programme, was backed by President George W Bush last year.The Senate proposal, which included a guest worker programme, was backed by President George W Bush last year.
But the plan has come to nothing amid opposition from Republican lawmakers in the House of Representatives.But the plan has come to nothing amid opposition from Republican lawmakers in the House of Representatives.
Reports of a leaked White House plan under which illegal migrants would be charged hefty sums for work visas and residency sparked fresh protests last month from immigrant groups.Reports of a leaked White House plan under which illegal migrants would be charged hefty sums for work visas and residency sparked fresh protests last month from immigrant groups.
Marchers 'afraid'Marchers 'afraid'
Rallies have taken place or are underway in a number of major cities, including Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Chicago, Washington, Boston and Phoenix, Arizona. Rallies took place in a number of major cities, including Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Chicago, Washington, Boston and Phoenix, Arizona.
However, organisers predicted that the marches would not rival the huge turnout last year, when more than a million protesters boycotted jobs, schools and businesses in order to show the importance of immigrants to the nation's economy. However, the marches did not rival the huge turnout last year, when more than a million protesters boycotted jobs, schools and businesses in order to show the importance of immigrants to the nation's economy.
They say many of last year's demonstrators have become disheartened by the lack of progress in Congress on immigration law reforms. Organisers say many of last year's demonstrators have become disheartened by the lack of progress in Congress on immigration law reforms.
Rallies have taken place in a number of major US citiesOthers have been deterred by an increase in government raids targeting illegal workers and the fear of repercussions from employers if they down tools for the day, organisers add.Rallies have taken place in a number of major US citiesOthers have been deterred by an increase in government raids targeting illegal workers and the fear of repercussions from employers if they down tools for the day, organisers add.
In Atlanta, Georgia, where 50,000 people marched last year, no rallies were planned.
Many illegal immigrants were said to be afraid of police raids aimed at finding and deporting illegal workers.Many illegal immigrants were said to be afraid of police raids aimed at finding and deporting illegal workers.
New state laws taking effect on 1 July will penalise employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants and police will be required to check the immigration status of people they arrest.New state laws taking effect on 1 July will penalise employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants and police will be required to check the immigration status of people they arrest.
"There's a lot of anxiety and fear in the immigrant community," Jerry Gonzalez of the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials told Associated Press news agency."There's a lot of anxiety and fear in the immigrant community," Jerry Gonzalez of the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials told Associated Press news agency.
Officials in Los Angeles said they were planning for about 20,000 protesters while march organisers said they expected 100,000 people.
Last year, 500,000 protesters brought the city's central business district to a halt.
Separation threatSeparation threat
The immigration debate continues to divide opinion in the US.The immigration debate continues to divide opinion in the US.
Many businesses benefit from migrant labour, but immigration opponents call for tighter border controls to protect national security.Many businesses benefit from migrant labour, but immigration opponents call for tighter border controls to protect national security.
Many campaigners for immigrants' rights have focused on the threat of separation faced by families where one or both parents are illegal immigrants but whose children were born in the US and so have US citizenship.Many campaigners for immigrants' rights have focused on the threat of separation faced by families where one or both parents are illegal immigrants but whose children were born in the US and so have US citizenship.
The US Congress, controlled by the Democrats since last November, has so far failed to find a compromise on proposed reforms.The US Congress, controlled by the Democrats since last November, has so far failed to find a compromise on proposed reforms.
President Bush has said he wants to see new legislation in place by the end of this year. Analysts say the issue could stall if it drags on into 2008, when attention will turn to the presidential elections.President Bush has said he wants to see new legislation in place by the end of this year. Analysts say the issue could stall if it drags on into 2008, when attention will turn to the presidential elections.