EUGENE, Ore. -- It is day one of Arizona's controversial new law, which is sparking protests all over the country. The steps of the Federal courthouse in Eugene was the site of just one.
Wednesday, a Federal judge put the brakes on the most potent parts of the new law. And opponents claimed it as a temporary victory, but the struggle to get rid of this law completely is far from over.
Claudia Hernandez said, "Unfortunately, this law is showing that we're not and we still have a long way to go."
Many in the crowd are like University of Oregon student Hernandez, a child of two immigrant parents.
"I'm really hoping that Arizona will take it back," Hernandez said.
The law, enacted at 12 a.m. Thursday, was missing its most potent parts. A Federal judge blocked the section about making it a state offense to live and work in Arizona without papers, and requiring cops to stop and check the status of anyone they suspect is in Arizona illegally.
Though hundreds of miles away, many here in Oregon still feel the law itself is illegal.
Martin Delao said, "All of the minorities that live in this country, whether legal or illegal here, I think it affects us all."
Opponents say the law encourages racism. They say the root of the problem is really immigration, and this isn't how lawmakers should try and fix it. They have a message for lawmakers.
"Get with it, sit down and have this conversation and do something about the immigration laws in this country so that we don't end up with more Arizona's," Guadelupe Quinn said.
The idea of comprehensive immigration reform has the backing of top city leaders.
Mayor Kitty Piercy said, "I and everyone I know is strongly in favor of more comprehensive immigration reform, we think we need it and as a country we need to deal with the issues that cause that law to go into effect in Arizona."
Because for those like Hernandez, it's just plain wrong. She said, "It's a violation."
There are legal battles ahead for both the Federal government and the state of Arizona. But supporters of the immigration law, including Arizona's governor, say they've just begun to fight. Experts are saying whoever loses at the appellate level will likely request a review from the U.S. Supreme Court.
