(East Haven-WTNH) _ The immigration issue took center stage today in 2-shoreline communities as hundreds of people came out to rally for and against the controversial issue.

Hundreds took to the streets in downtown New Haven Saturday afternoon in support of illegal immigrants. In particular the group was protesting the federal government raids last week where 32-people were arrested and are now facing deportation.

"I think that this is what this country is all about. You have a right to speak your mind for or against. We want to have compassion for people but we want them to abide by the laws we have in this country," said Amy McNabb of Meriden.

The protestors gathered to show solidarity against the federal government.

"We are here to support our illegal immigrants because we believe that no human being is illegal," said Nilda Aponte of New Haven.

They also gathered to support Mayor DeStefano and the Board of Aldermen's decision to issue municipal ID cards to undocumented people.

"These are ID cards for all New Haven communities and that includes our immigrant residents. They are here and we need to find a way to work with them," said Sarah Almonte of New Haven.

In a meeting Saturday night in East Haven, people from all over Connecticut packed into the American Foreign Legion Hall to voice their concerns about the same issue.

"When they came here they knowingly broke the law, they got caught and the price for that crime, I'm sorry to say, is deportation. It's no different that if you rob a bank," said Bill Farrel of North Branford.

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