A sweeping federal immigration proposal announced this week will lead to a backlash in Illinois. That’s according to Evert Evertsen of Minutemen Midwest, a group that wants tougher measures against illegal immigrants.

He says the reform plan will energize a Minuteman protest Saturday morning at the home of a state senator who supports allowing undocumented immigrants to drive legally.

“We’re going to see a bigger turnout for sure,” Evertsen says. “We think it is wrong that someone breaks the law to come into our country. Whether you come in via airplane and overstay a tourism visa or you sneak in across one of our borders, you have ignored the sovereignty of our country.”

Evertsen predicts Americans will rise to defeat any bill allowing undocumented immigrants to legalize their status.