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Thousands rally for immigration reform

Tens of thousands of immigration reform supporters packed the National Mall in Washington D.C. to urge Congress to overhaul the nation's immigration system.

City officials do not give official crowd estimates, so it is difficult to determine whether turnout reached the more than 200,000 estimated by organizers.

March 21

City officials do not give official crowd estimates, so it is difficult to determine whether turnout reached the more than 200,000 estimated by organizers.

Marvin Joseph-Washington Post

The festive crowd beat drums and waved American flags and placards reading "Change takes Courage," and "Obama Don't Forget Your Promise!"

March 21

The festive crowd beat drums and waved American flags and placards reading "Change takes Courage," and "Obama Don't Forget Your Promise!"

Marvin Joseph-Washington Post

Immigration reform supporters would like to see Congress and the White House offer the nation's 10.8 million illegal immigrants a path to citizenship this year.

March 21

Immigration reform supporters would like to see Congress and the White House offer the nation's 10.8 million illegal immigrants a path to citizenship this year.

Marvin Joseph-Washington Post

A Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA) Caravan of 36 buses with more than 2,000 passengers traveled from New York to attend the Immigration March and rally in support of immigration rights on the National Mall.

March 21

A Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA) Caravan of 36 buses with more than 2,000 passengers traveled from New York to attend the Immigration March and rally in support of immigration rights on the National Mall.

Marvin Joseph-Washington Post

Anna Bayona, left, with her dog Gypsy and Mary Luz navigate under a giant American flag at the rally.

March 21

Anna Bayona, left, with her dog Gypsy and Mary Luz navigate under a giant American flag at the rally.

Marvin Joseph-Washington Post

Organizers are already touting several results from earlier in the week: Sens. Charles E. Shumer (D-N.Y.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) published an editorial in the Washington Post laying out blueprint for an overhaul bill.

March 21

Organizers are already touting several results from earlier in the week: Sens. Charles E. Shumer (D-N.Y.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) published an editorial in the Washington Post laying out blueprint for an overhaul bill.

Marvin Joseph-Washington Post

This crowd holds a photograph of President Ronald Reagan who signed The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), on November 6, 1986. The Act of Congress reformed the United States immigration law. The Act made it illegal to knowingly hire or recruit illegal immigrants, required employers to attest to their employees' immigration status, and granted amnesty to certain illegal immigrants who entered the United States before January 1, 1982 and had resided there continuously.

March 21

This crowd holds a photograph of President Ronald Reagan who signed The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), on November 6, 1986. The Act of Congress reformed the United States immigration law. The Act made it illegal to knowingly hire or recruit illegal immigrants, required employers to attest to their employees' immigration status, and granted amnesty to certain illegal immigrants who entered the United States before January 1, 1982 and had resided there continuously.

Marvin Joseph-Washington Post

With unemployment at 10 percent and time running short before this fall's midterm election, the odds against passing an immigration overhaul this year would appear to be growing insurmountable.

March 21

With unemployment at 10 percent and time running short before this fall's midterm election, the odds against passing an immigration overhaul this year would appear to be growing insurmountable.

Marvin Joseph-Washington Post

Most of the rally's participants appeared to be Latino. Many who broke into repeated chants in Spanish, such as "Si, se puede!" (Yes, we can!) But there were also displays of diversity, including a group of Senagalese immigrant women.

March 21

Most of the rally's participants appeared to be Latino. Many who broke into repeated chants in Spanish, such as "Si, se puede!" (Yes, we can!) But there were also displays of diversity, including a group of Senagalese immigrant women.

Nick Kirkpatrick

Maria Rodriguez, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition said, "Latino workers, campesinos [farm workers] and families are here to stay. To be counted in the ballot box."

March 21

Maria Rodriguez, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition said, "Latino workers, campesinos [farm workers] and families are here to stay. To be counted in the ballot box."

Nick Kirkpatrick

President Obama, who appeared in a video message played at the demonstration, endorsed an immigration plan laid out by Sens. Chuck Schumer and Lindsey Graham.

March 21

President Obama, who appeared in a video message played at the demonstration, endorsed an immigration plan laid out by Sens. Chuck Schumer and Lindsey Graham.

Nick Kirkpatrick

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