Tens of thousands demonstrate for immigrant rights across U.S.

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets across the United States on Monday calling for rights for an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the country.

Demonstrations were staged in nearly 70 cities, including Washington D.C., New York, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Seattle and Los Angeles, as part of what was called a "campaign for immigrants ' dignity."

They protesters were urging Congress to pass legislation that grants illegal immigrants legal status and a chance to become American citizens.

"We have a dream too," read one sign held by protesters in Washington.

In Lexington, Kentucky, protesters waved signs that read "We were all immigrants once" and "We are not terrorists," an AP report said.

Monday's demonstrations followed a weekend of rallies in 10 states, including Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, New York and Indiana.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill late last year that calls for building a security fence on the U.S.-Mexico border and for making illegal immigration a felony. The measure has drawn fierce opposition from Latino groups.

At the Senate, senators have introduced their bill that also calls for strengthening border security but would give undocumented immigrants a shot at U.S. citizenship.

The legislation, however failed to get enough support in a vote last week despite an earlier announcement of a comprise between Republicans and Democrats.

Source: Xinhua