Remember the rule - anyone who uses the term "immigrant" when the issue is illegal immiration is being disingenuous. From the Chicago Sun-Times (via The Corner), the opening paragraphs:

Tens of thousands of immigrants from throughout the Chicago area, many carrying U.S. flags, marched into downtown Chicago on Friday in a show of support for immigrant rights.

The rally came as the U.S. Senate struggles with a bill to stiffen border enforcement and a new report estimates the illegal immigrant population has grown from about 8.4 million in 2000 to nearly 12 million.

So again, the issue is illegal immigration, not immigration.

The Democratic governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, demonstrated some of that respect for the "rule of law" Democrats have been crying out for lately:

His proclamation that "Ustedes no son criminales. Ustedes son trabajadores" (You are not criminals. You are workers) elicited loud cheers.

But, um, those who violated the immigration laws of the United States in entering the country illegally are criminals by definition, it should go without saying. The governor clearly cares as little about telling the truth as he does about the laws of this country.

Here is another account from the CBS affiliate in Chicago. Note the utter disregard for the laws of this nation from all the Democratic politicians quoted.

Many, perhaps most, illegal immigrants are otherwise decent, hardworking people who are simply trying to work and provide for their families. But many others are criminals, thugs, gang members, drug smugglers, perhaps terrorists - no one knows who all is coming across at this point. To stop these "real" criminals from coming, the border has to be controlled, it's just that simple. The level of legal immigration that ought to be allowed is largely a separate issue.

Michelle Malkin has more. Also listed at The Mudville Gazette.