New York, NY —

Hoping to tone down the vitriol against illegal immigrants, advocacy groups are starting a public information campaign aimed at people who aren't immigrants. The groups are scheduling workshops, and outreach efforts at churches and synagogues, to educate people about immigrants' lives and economic contributions.

REPORTER: Javier Valdes from the New York Immigration Coalition says he hopes the meetings will spark honest debate:

VALDES: We want to open that dialogue with those that really are not per say our allies right now. But we feel like if we at least start the conversation, we might be able to bring them to our side or help dispel some of the myths about immigrants.

REPORTER: Valdes says immigrant groups learned from the public's strong negative reaction against giving illegal immigrants drivers' licenses that alliances must be built.