Two years ago, activists and leaders gathered in the first nationwide rally for immigrant rights. This year will be no different as various groups organize rallies in major cities around Texas.

Immigrant rights groups in San Antonio and Austin are organizing rallies for Thursday afternoon, hoping to attract numbers similar to years prior. However, there has been concern over the decrease of support this year.

In a story reported by the San Antonio Express-News, some organizers of previous immigrant rights rallies have said they are willing help and participate this year, but would like to see more productive efforts from the pro-immigrant community. The efforts cited include putting more Latinos in political office or lobbying to current political officeholders.

A comprehensive immigration reform bill failed to pass twice last year in the Senate, despite support from President George W. Bush, Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain and Democratic Sen. Ted Kennedy, who helped construct the bill. Many U.S. Latino organizations supported the bill as well. No bill on immigration reform has been introduced this year, and one is not expected until after a new president is in office.

These rallies may be the place where pro-immigrant organizations can concentrate their efforts on voter registration and encouraging people to go to the polls. The Houston Chronicle reports that is precisely what some immigrant rights groups, such as the Fair Immigration Reform Movement, are attempting to do. A poll released by CBS News and MTV found 46 percent of people age 18-29 believe the next president should allow workers who are not in the U.S. legally to apply for citizenship. The poll also found the economy to be the top issue of concern for young people, and immigration did not rank in the top five.

It will be interesting to see how the Democratic candidates pair against McCain, who received lots of criticism for supporting the 2007 immigration reform bill. Clinton has been touted as the favorite among Latino voters, but Obama continues attempts to make inroads with the group, at times succeeding. If Obama, who has received extensive support from young voters, receives the Democratic nomination, it appears young people want him to reconsider reform.

May 1 Central Texas immigrant rallies

Austin rally:

Sponsored by the Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition

Location: State Capitol

Rally begins at 4:30 p.m. and will be followed by a march at 5:30 p.m. 

San Antonio rally:

Sponsored by the Southwest Workers Union

Location: Milam Park

Rally begins at 6 p.m., followed by the march at 6 p.m.