[JURIST] A series of speakers in the Arizona State Legislature [official website] offered stinging criticism in floor speeches Monday of demonstrators who marched [JURIST report] in support of a chance for citizenship for illegal immigrants in the US. A group of Republican legislators said the protests were an assault on the "rule of law" and granting amnesty to illegal immigrants would send the wrong message. State Sen. Robert Blendu [official profile] said the marches succeeded in shutting down the state government for part of Monday, while arguing that immigration laws needed to be enforced.

Protests were held around the country Monday calling for a solution to the citizenship issue for illegal immigrants, who are estimated to number 11 million. The issue of immigration reform [JURIST news archive] has remained stalled in Congress, after compromise legislation in the Senate failed last week [JURIST report]. Capitol Media Services has more.