Mass immigrant-rights marches oppose criminalization bill

Hundreds of thousands of people march in cities across the United States in March and April 2006 against H.R. 4437, a House-passed immigration bill that would make unlawful presence a felony and penalize people who assist undocumented immigrants. The marches are led heavily by Latino immigrant communities, labor groups, churches, students, and civil rights organizations. Supporters call for legalization and dignity; supporters of the bill argue for tougher enforcement. Immigrant communities of color organize one of the largest protest waves in modern U.S. history against criminalization and exclusion.