SAN DIEGO -- The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) publicly apologized to the San Diego Minutemen Thursday as part of a settlement between the two parties, 10News reported.

The Minutemen sued Caltrans for discrimination after the group's Adopt-A-Highway sign near the U.S.-Mexico border was removed. Caltrans said the sign was removed after receiving complaints.

Although the San Diego Minutemen claim they fight illegal immigrations, others have said they're radical.

"He (Minutement leader Jeff Schwilk) is a dangerous man," said the Southern Poverty Law Center's Jim McElroy, who tracks hate groups. "Jeff Schwilk is about Jeff Schwilk."

"This is a political stunt," said attorney Dan Gilleon, who has sued Schwilk for defaming one of his clients and won.

Gilleon said Schwilk demanded the public apology from Caltrans to get media attention.

"San Diego Minutemen are welcomed participants in the Adopt-A-Highway program," said Caltrans' Steve Sazille. "Any negative implications contained in the revocation letter of January 2008 were in error and regretted."

Schwilk told 10News, "We're glad that the state has finally realized the errors of their ways when they violated our constitutional free speech rights, and apparently they are now making amends for that."

Along with the apology, Caltrans has to pay the Minutemen $157,000.

Schwilk said he will use the payment to help fight illegal immigration.