By ALFREDO CORCHADO and KATIE WARCHUT / The Dallas Morning News

Immigrant-rights groups in the United States say they have returned to a grass-roots strategy in their campaign to bring undocumented immigrants out of the shadows
of American society.

Previously, the groups had worked closely with the Bush and Fox administrations to shape a migration pact that was to be presented to the U.S. Congress. But
border security took top priority after the Sept. 11 attacks, putting the immigration issue on hold.

The shift to a grass-roots strategy comes amid a chill in relations between the United States and Mexico, which rights activists say has forced them to find a different
way to build support among American lawmakers and civic leaders.

The groups say the incidences of undocumented immigrants dying in trailer trucks, deserts and overflowing rivers underscore the urgent need for both countries to
reform immigration laws.

The latest case came last week, when 19 undocumented immigrants – most of them from Mexico – died after a trip in an unventilated cargo trailer that ended near
Victoria, Texas.

The discovery followed similar recent incidents in North Texas and Iowa.

"What this demonstrates is that people are taking bigger and bigger risk to come across the border," said Cecilia Muñoz, vice president of policy at the National
Council of La Raza, or NCLR, an immigration advocacy group.

"And that's a symptom of the larger problem: that our migration politics are not connected with the realities that drive migration because, had those workers arrived
successfully, they would have probably ended up with jobs."

During a recent trip to Washington, Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Ernesto Derbez acknowledged that the fight against terrorism – rather than legalizing more than
4.5 million Mexicans living illegally in America – is the most pressing concern in his country's relationship with the United States.

But he and other Mexican officials insisted that immigration remains a "top priority," second only to keeping the border secure. The security issue became a
paramount concern after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The response from congressional leaders who spoke with Mr. Derbez during his visit was mixed. Democrats said immigration remained a priority, while an aide to
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., called it "something to keep an eye on," lower on a list of priorities that include the economy, health care and rebuilding
Iraq.

NCLR and other groups, including the National Immigration Forum, have moved to broaden their reach by joining with organizations such as the National Campaign
for Jobs and Income Support, an anti-poverty group; and ACORN – the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now – which has worked to improve
black neighborhoods.

The goal, activists say, is to get Congress to address social, educational and crime-related problems that have risen as immigrant populations have taken root in cities
and towns across the country.

In the past, many immigrants returned to Mexico or moved on to other towns after their work – usually seasonal agricultural jobs – was done.

But as the border has become more dangerous and expensive to cross, more migrant workers are choosing to settle in U.S. communities, many of which are unable
to cope with the new, mostly low-income population.

ACORN is now active in lobbying for immigration reform that could legalize up to 4.5 million undocumented workers from Mexico. ACORN's research director in
Dallas, Liz Wolff, said her organization is working across the country to place Spanish speakers in hospitals and at schools to talk to children's parents. She said the
nation needs to find better ways to address immigrant needs for everything from education to housing to social services and medical care.

ACORN has fought what it describes as discrimination in San Diego, where police set up roadblocks in primarily immigrant neighborhoods and confiscated vehicles
owned by undocumented immigrants.

In Dallas, Ms. Wolff said, ACORN is trying to persuade authorities to allow undocumented immigrants to be issued driver's licenses. Proponents say the move
would make the roads safer, because the immigrants would have to pass a driving test and secure insurance.

"These people have to drive anyway," Ms. Wolff said. "These problems are being neglected by our government."

Mr. Derbez and his colleagues say they have not abandoned their goals on immigration but acknowledged that they have changed their strategy and tactics.

Mr. Derbez has taken a pragmatic and go-slow approach, much different from the aggressive style of his predecessor, Jorge Castañeda.

"[Mr. Derbez] is talking about the kind of immigration reforms that will take a lot of time and are more realistic," said James Jones, former U.S. ambassador to
Mexico.

Integrating migrants into U.S. communities is a slow process, Mr. Derbez said, adding that issues must be considered at the local level. Listening to the needs of
specific migrant communities and working with Mexican consulates to provide support, he said, would improve the environment for both sides.

"Success should be measured on whether the life of the people who are being touched by this migration issue is better or worse at the end of the day," he said.

A spokeswoman for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Democrats will push Republicans, who control both houses of Congress, to address
immigration problems.

"Democrats are actively trying to encourage the administration to continue to revisit the immigration issue," the spokeswoman said. "It was being discussed heavily
until 9-11."

Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., agreed with Mr. Derbez that border security should be Mexico's No. 1 priority, a congressional aide said, but added
that Democrats are still working to make progress on immigration issues.

Ms. Munoz said she and her colleagues will continue to press the issue.

"[Presidents Vicente] Fox and President Bush helped activate the debate, but instead of waiting for a sign from them, we have to return to the grass-roots level to
create a sense of inevitability and possibility. Even if they kiss and make up, the real action is still at the grass-roots level."