As word of an immigration and border security compromise simmers in the U.S. Senate, a group of Hispanic residents and others are preparing to make their voices heard.

Wilfredo Leon, publisher of Latino newspaper, said the group wants to bring all races together from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday at City Hall Plaza.

One goal of the demonstration is to encourage people to take off work to show how the economy would suffer should all immigrants -- not just Hispanics -- decide to return to their homelands.

But there are also other points the organizers want to drive home, Leon said.

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"During this gathering, we would like to still convey a message that we support immigration reform and national security," Leon said. "But we're also seeking that things be done in a fair and dignified way with the 12 million immigrants that are right now living in the U.S."

Leon also said the march would be used as a tool to tell Greenville residents that immigrants pose no threat to them or their way of life.

"We are also contributing to the economy," Leon said.

As it stands, the compromise calls for a proposal to handle illegal immigrants based on a sliding scale. Depending on how long the immigrant has been in the country, he or she would either be sent home or gain guaranteed legal status, the Associated Press reported.

The immigrants who have been in the country for at least five years would gain legal status after paying fines and back taxes and working for six years and learning to speak English, AP reported.

Immigrants who have been in the country between two and five years would have to go to a border crossing and re-enter the country legally as temporary workers.

Those who have been in the country illegally for two years or less would have to leave the country before they are eligible to apply to return.

The measure, which gained only 38 votes on a key procedural test Friday, has been put off until after the Senate returns from its two-week Easter break.