Hundreds of thousands of immigration rights protesters are expected to take the nation's streets Tuesday to demand changes in immigration law.

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Organizers have called for such actions as a work stoppage, after-hour rallies and town hall meetings. Activities are planned in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, Phoenix and other cities.

The marches will come one year after almost 1 million marchers protesed the way illegal immigrants are treated by the government and employers.

Some of the issues the marchers favor include:

• Citizenship for illegal immigrants already in the country, who are working, paying taxes and supporting their families.
• An end to federal immigration raids and deportations in which authorities have arrested 23,745 people nationwide over the past 11 months.
• A halt to the construction of more than 700 miles of border wall between the United States and Mexico.

Immigration advocates are also planning to launch a "New Sanctuary Movement" next month to give refuge to illegal immigrants facing deportation in churches across the country.

Organizers said they expect far fewer numbers of protesters compared to the 1 million or more participants in last year's events. Counter-demonstrations are also expected.

Juan Jose Gutierrez, president of Los Angeles-based Latino Movement USA, said, "Those of us on the ground, who have constant contact with immigrants, don't have the feeling we'll have a massive outpouring."

But organizers deny they are losing clout, and point to the defeat last November of several conservatives who advocated cracking down on illegal immigrants and record numbers of citizenship applications as proof.

Depending on the report, the number of illegal immigrants in the United States can range from between 8 million to 20 million. The U.S. Census estimated 8 million lived in the U.S. in 2000. The Pew Hispanic Center puts the number between 8 million and 12 million, about 57 percent of which are likely of Mexican origin.

Here's a look at what organizers expect around the country.

Arizona: Organizers expect about 5,000 people to participate in a march from the Arizona State Fairgrounds to the State Capitol. Marchers say they'll be urging Congress to pass "fair and just" immigration reform. Anti-illegal immigration groups, including United for a Sovereign America and the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, are expected to make an appearance.

California: Police and public transportation officials are bracing for more than 100,000 protestors in the Civic Center and MacArthur Park areas on Tuesday. Due to the planned events, 60 bus routes will be rerouted and parts of 17 downtown streets will be closed for much of the day. Some groups are calling for an end to police sweeps of illegal immigrants, while others oppose guest-worker programs and support making it easier for illegal immigrants to become legal. Southern California school officials are urging students to stay in class instead of taking part in the rallies.

Colorado: The Colorado Immigration Rights Coalition plans a Pro-Immigrant National Day of Action, which calls for the passage of what the group calls fair and humane immigration reform.

Texas: Immigration activists are expected to take to the streets of El Paso on Tuesday. Last year's May 1 protest at the Chamizal National Monument caused downtown El Paso to shut down, as many protestors boycotted American goods. This year, protesters will meet near the Santa Fe bridge and cross the Rio Grande at the Juarez monument.

Maryland: Hispanic rights groups in the region are organizing a work stoppage by immigrants Tuesday to show that they play an important role in the economy. Some leaders in the Hispanic business community aren't supporting the demonstrators. The president and CEO of the Mid-Atlantic Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Jorge Ribas, said the boycott proves nothing and may have a negative impact on the debate over immigration reform. Ribas also said the immigrant population is so small in Maryland, the boycott might go unnoticed.

Wisconsin: Thousands of demonstrators are expected to take to the streets of Milwaukee Tuesday to demand new immigration laws. This year's protest will start at noon on South Fifth Street and head toward downtown. The demonstration will affect several Milwaukee County Transit System routes.