Conn. activists to push for immigration reforms

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal is joining immigrant advocates from around Connecticut who are stepping up pressure for comprehensive immigration reforms.

Blumenthal is scheduled to join immigrant advocates, students and representatives of labor unions who are expected to call for reforms that include a pathway to citizenship.

Monday's event comes a week after a bipartisan group of leading senators announced their plan for a sweeping overhaul, including a path to citizenship for about 11 million illegal immigrants. The plan also includes border security, a guest worker system and employer verification.

But granting illegal residents a pathway to citizenship is deeply unpopular in many House Republicans' districts.

President Barack Obama wants such a pathway. So do some prominent GOP lawmakers.