Hundreds of union members filled the Capitol's south lawn Tuesday to urge lawmakers to punish employers who hire illegal immigrants. The House and Senate have each passed their own versions of legislation cracking down on illegal immigration, but there is disagreement about whether employers should have to use the federal E-Verify database to check their workers' immigration status.

Democratic lawmakers and Attorney General Jay Nixon spoke at Tuesday's rally. Nixon, who is running for governor, pledged to represent organized labor's interests, including on illegal immigration.