About two dozen members of the Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network rallied outside the federal building on Grant Street yesterday to advocate for national immigration reform.

The rally here was to coincide with more than a dozen across the country yesterday as groups push Congress to implement what they believe is necessary, comprehensive reform.

"Families are broken, and people are being treated unjustly," said Scott Fabean, the vice president of the local group, which includes approximately 40 congregations and organizations throughout the area. "We feel it is a moral issue. God commands us to care for the alien."

Jacqueline B. Martinez, a local immigration attorney, said that complete reform includes border security.

"The government can close the borders -- that's its right," she said. But, she continued, it's essential to do something for the people who are already here that have built families -- including children born as American citizens.

Ms. Martinez believes that with the Obama administration in place, the time is right for immigration reform. She is hopeful that it will take into consideration employers, schools, families and social services.

"This is the big white elephant in the room people have to deal with. You can't ignore it any longer."

Sister Janice Vanderneck of the Sisters of St. Joseph has worked in Latino social services for Catholic Charities for six years.

"I have seen so many families broken through deportation," she said.

Sister Janice believes that, under President Obama and with the support of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the AFL-CIO, there's a real chance immigration reform will pass this year.

She does not believe illegal immigrants are taking jobs from American citizens. Instead, she argues that they work jobs most Americans don't want.

"The immigrants of today are no different than the immigrants of yesterday," said Gabe Morgan, the director of the Service Employees International Union Local 32 BJ. "Every person has the right to work. Every person should have the right to provide for their families."