RALEIGH -- The debate over immigration in the state of North Carolina is far from over. On Wednesday, one group rallied in Raleigh in an effort to get the attention of state lawmakers.

The political group, Americans for Legal Immigration, said the state is in a crisis because it has been a top destination for illegal immigrants over the last few years. That’s why their supporters want North Carolina lawmakers to enact tougher laws to keep them away.

"We need to take care of our people here first and then go there. I came here through the process, and I expect everyone else to do the same way,” protestor Roan Garcia-Quintana said.

The group said that illegal immigrants use up state resources, but immigrant community advocates say even illegal immigrants provide benefits to the area.

"The immigrant community fills our interest, supports our interests, gives us that food, gives us those service industries, gives us that science, gives us that education that we need to be the best country in the world,” advocate Peter Morris said.

While some said the state should ban illegal immigrants from going to college, others said it is important to provide an opportunity for a post-secondary education.

"Let's give them a chance to do what our grandparents did, immigrate to this country to make a better life for themselves, for their families, and frankly for us,” Morris added.

Others said that’s not what their protest was about though.

"It's just about one simple thing: do you belong here and are you here legally?” Garcia-Quintana said.

Most of the bills dealing with illegal immigration are making their way through committee hearings in the North Carolina legislature.