COLUMBIA -- Lawmakers met again Thursday to discuss adopting a similar immigration bill that's already been signed into law in Arizona.
The bill would give law enforcement officials the ability to verify the immigration status of individuals they stop if there is reasonable suspicion.
Supporters of the bill gathered at the State House Thursday to show support.
Bill Conner, the Republican candidate running for the nomination in the Lieutenant Governor's race says it's the best way to protect the country's borders.
"We're letting down those who are fighting for us overseas if we allow another 9-11 type of attack because we have not protected our borders," Conner states.
Critics argue that the idea is a violation of human rights and will only ignite racial profiling.
"How else can an officer on the street form a suspicion that someone is in the country unlawfully just by looking at them? It is inevitable that race and ethnicity will become grounds for differential treatment under this law," says Victoria Middleton, Executive Director of the SC ACLU office.
Read Middleton's full statement here.
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