DES MOINES – Immigrant rights advocates opened a 48-hour vigil Monday to protest parts of an immigration reform bill being debated in Congress.

About 50 people attended the event’s first day in downtown Des Moines, some holding signs that urged change, while others were equipped with sleeping bags and tents to accommodate a long night of promoting immigrant rights.

“I think Congress has done some work. I think there are other things that need to be done,” said Chris Gonzalez, a Des Moines attorney who had her sleeping bag in tow and planned to stay at least part of the night.

The group will have at least four people in place until Wednesday morning to light candles and talk with passers-by about immigration reform, organizers said.

Congressional and White House officials have been working to strike a compromise on immigration reform that would allow votes as early as Tuesday.

Protesters say they are pleased with the progress, including proposals such as requiring a background check for visa applicants as well as requiring them to pay taxes.

Yet, “there are some details we think are unworkable,” said event organizer Alex Orozco, of United for the Dignity and Safety of Immigrants.

He said a system that attributes points to individuals on the path to citizenship would tear families apart since members could have varying statuses.

Protesters also view the proposed enforcement measures – including bolstered border control – as inhumane.

In addition, they’re rejecting any moves for a guest-worker program that doesn’t have an opportunity for citizenship, and argue undocumented workers already in the United States won’t be able to afford possible fines to gain citizenship.

Immigrant rights proponents prefer an increase in the number of visas granted, and call for immediate, unconditional legalization for those in the country. They also want to make it easier for new citizens to sponsor their families abroad.

Lisa Munoz, who came from Waterloo for the event, said Iowa needs to do its part by providing more educational and economic opportunities to immigrants.

“Iowa is an aging state. If we’re going to keep our communities vital we’re going to need other folks,” she said. “There are things I think locally we can do to step up to the plate.”

Organizers said they have broad-based support, noting that their event included speakers from Latino, West African, Asian and Muslim communities.

“If you looked at last year’s rallies, it was mostly seen as a Latino issue,” said Kirk Martin, a spokesman of Iowa Allies for Immigration Reform, a coalition of several groups sponsoring the 48-hour vigil.