March for immigrants' rights

The mass took place at Westminster Cathedral in London and was followed by a rally in Trafalgar Square.

Campaigners want the hundred of thousands of illegal immigrants who HAve been working in this country for more than four years to be given permits and ultimately citizenship.

The leader of Catholics in England and Wales called for the rights of illegal immigrant workers in the UK to be "respected".

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the Archbishop of Westminster, said although in "no way" did he want to encourage illegal immigration, he believed "more attention" should be paid to the fair treatment of undocumented migrants in the country.

The Strangers into Citizens campaign is pressing for a one-off "earned amnesty" for hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants living in the UK.

Under the proposals, "irregular migrants" - refused asylum seekers or visa overstayers - who have been in the country for four years or more - would qualify for a two-year work permit with no access to benefits.

Those qualifying for the work permit would be given indefinite leave to remain at the end of the two-year period - subject to criteria such as an English test, no criminal record and employer and sponsor references.

The campaigners argue that such a scheme would end exploitation of illegal immigrants and the undercutting of British workers.

It would also mean "huge benefits" for the British state through increased tax revenues.

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