COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — About 100 people gathered at the State House Monday to protest illegal immigration and call on legislators to pass a more strict reform bill.

A conference committee continues meeting this week to work out differences between the House and Senate immigration bills. Both require employers to check the legal status of their workers.

The House bill doesn’t cover private businesses. Critics say the Senate version includes a loophole in how employers can check citizenship.

Contractors say they’re losing businesses to competitors who undercut their bids by hiring illegal workers.

Freedom Fighter Radio’s Jim Stachowiak of Augusta, Georgia, stood on a Mexican flag Monday while waving a sign that read “Americans First.” He says people should be stockpiling ammunition because he fears martial law.