Posted Thursday, April 27, 2006; 5:37 p.m.

THE POWER OF PROTEST
Thousads of illegal immigrants and their supporters will take to the streets on Monday to show opposition that the Hispanic community plays an important role in American society.

By Heather Downie
The L.A. Pilot

LOS ANGELES --  On May 1st, pro-immigration protests will take place across the country, aiming to shut down immigration reform bills on Capital Hill. Protestors hope to demonstrate their vital role in U.S. society, and are reaching out to all kinds of supporters to do it.

Economic Impact of Illegals

40 percent of immigrants work in the agriculture industry, working jobs that President George W. Bush says "Americans don't want." World Perspectives, an agricultural consulting firm, estimates that 25 percent to 75 percent of U.S. farm laborers are "fraudulently documented.

According to a study by the American Farm Bureau Federation, if the United States were to crackdown on illegal immigrant labor, it could cause production losses in U.S. agriculture of $5 billion to $9 billion in the first one to three years and up to $12 billion over four or more years.

Reaching Out for Help

While thousands of Hispanics are planning on taking the streets, Hispanics in Los Angeles have asked Koreatown business owners not to fire employees if they leave work to participate in May 1demonstrations.  Thousands of Hispanic immigrants work in Koreatown, where they make up about 60 percent of the low-wage work force in markets and restaurants, said Vy Nguyen, an organizer with KIWA.

More such outreach attempts are expected around the country.