The rally was in many ways representative of the mix of interests involved in advocacy for immigrants: politicians, union members, civil rights leaders, a Catholic priest and a Spanish radio morning personality.,”Protesters gathered at Mitchell Park Wednesday to rally against a new Department of Homeland Security crackdown on employers who hire illegal immigrants. Nearly 2,000 people attended, according to organizers.

The rally was in many ways representative of the mix of interests involved in advocacy for immigrants' rights: politicians, union members, civil rights leaders and a Spanish-language radio personality.

The Milwaukee rally, held at South 26th and West Pierce Streets, was one of more than a dozen protests taking place across the country in what organizers called a National Day of Action. Those who attended the local rally were asked to take off work and school and to not make any purchases to show the effect of removing illegal immigrants from the economy.

Organizers have been planning the rally for the past two weeks, said Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director of Voces de la Frontera, a Milwaukee immigration-rights group that organized the rally.

The rally was primarily a response to a stepped-up effort by the Department of Homeland Security since August to penalize businesses that employ workers whose Social Security numbers do not match those in the federal database.

"The employer is not required to ask too many questions as long as it appears valid on its face," said Ed Fallone, an associate Marquette Law School professor who teaches immigration law. "The employer is not supposed to question valid-looking IDs."

"(You) sort of know that false Social Security numbers are used to gain employment. The employers doesn't have to verify very much," Fallone said.

The department began its increased effort in sending Social Security "no match" letters to employers in August. Before, employers had not been required to respond to the government. Now, businesses could be prosecuted or face fines if the number discrepancies are not solved in 90 days.

A temporary restraining order has been placed on sending out the letters. A federal judge will revisit the issue Oct. 1.

Neumann-Ortiz said the new Homeland Security policy would hurt eight million undocumented and legal workers. Employers have received letters about the Social Security numbers of legal workers because of a name change or typo, she said.

Neumann-Ortiz also said she believes businesses will have to close because of the letters. Because of an August 2006 raid on the Star Packaging plant in Whitewater, Wis., in which 25 employees were arrested, Neumann-Ortiz said other workers at the plant have lost their jobs.

Fallone said it's questionable whether the new regulations will reduce unlawful employment. But he said using identity theft laws against undocumented workers is "out of proportion to the offense."

"This is not identity theft. This is simply trying to work and trying to get a job. They're not stealing anything or taking anything," Fallone said.

Ortiz said illegal immigrants annually contribute $94 billion to taxes and $7 billion to Social Security.

She said the legalization of illegal immigrants would be "one piece of lifting up low-wage workers" in the United States.

Rick Biesada, director of the Chicago Minuteman Project, a group that opposes illegal immigration, said employers should comply with the laws. The country is "importing cheap labor and exporting our jobs," he said.

The IRS loses close to $300 billion a year because of illegal immigration, Biesada said.

Despite the new Homeland Security rules, Biesada said President George W. Bush's administration "is not doing anything on the issue" of illegal immigration.

The first priority of the government should be to secure the border, which is a matter of national security, Biesada said.

Doug Drake, sub-district director for United Steel Workers, said at the rally that the regulations will be an impediment to employers of good will and will be an excuse for bad employers to take advantage of workers.

"We are a nation of immigrants," Drake said. "Did Christopher Columbus have a green card?"

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