More than 500 mostly Hispanic protesters rallied at the Capitol on Thursday to denounce as oppressive the state's new law designed to fight illegal immigration. The law, called one of the toughest anti-illegal immigration proposals in the nation, gives police new power to detain illegal immigrants for deportation by federal authorities, reduces state benefits to illegal immigrants and requires prospective employees to verify their legal status through a federal online program. It has been blamed for causing fear among the Hispanic population, leading thousands to move out of the state.

It has drawn fierce opposition from some religious groups who say they'll continue to provide services to illegal immigrants, despite a provision that makes it a felony to harbor or transport them. "How can you penalize people for helping other people?" asked the Rev. Don Wolf of Duncan, among a group of Catholic priests who have signed a pledge in opposition to the law. The law requires law enforcement agencies to hold for federal immigration authorities undocumented workers charged with DUI or a felony.