Thousands rally for immigrant rights

? Tens of thousands of immigrants and labor advocates staged a rally Saturday for better treatment of the nation’s immigrants, topping off a two-week-long bus odyssey around the country.

Cardinal Edward Egan told the largely Hispanic crowd that the millions of undocumented workers in the United States “are all sons and daughters of one Father in heaven.”

The demonstrators seek the legalization of undocumented workers, better working conditions and the reunification of families.

Organizers estimated Saturday’s crowd at 100,000 people.

The rally was the final stop of the Immigration Workers Freedom Ride, an 18-bus caravan that carried hundreds of immigrants and their supporters to more than 100 U.S. cities.

The immigration riders arrived in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday and spent two days meeting with lawmakers.

Two bills before Congress would bring legal status to many undocumented workers. One proposal involves bringing in workers for temporary farm work and would give undocumented farm workers in the United States a chance to become permanent residents.

The other bill would allow children of illegal immigrants to become legal residents if they entered the United States before the age of 16 and have been here for five years.

Thousands gather for the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride in New York's Flushing Meadows Park. Demonstrators sought the legalization of undocumented workers during Saturday's rally.