US Rep. Luis Gutierrez discusses immigration in SC

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A leader of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus is visiting South Carolina to talk about the state’s new immigration law.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reports (http://bit.ly/tqmxhB) that U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez is in Charleston Sunday to hear concerns about the new law that is goes into effect in January.

Gutierrez chairs the caucus’ task force on immigration.

The U.S. Department of Justice is suing South Carolina over the new law, which federal prosecutors say is unconstitutional and interferes with the government’s powers to establish immigration policy.

The measure would require law officers who make traffic stops to call federal immigration officials if they suspect someone is in the country illegally. The measure bars officers from holding someone solely on that suspicion.