SOLANA BEACH, Calif. -- The debate over illegal immigration found its way to the office of local Rep. Brian Bilbray Friday after a comment he made regarding shoes.

A group of human rights activists gathered at Bilbray's Solana Beach office and claimed a statement he made on MSNBC's "Hardball" program in late April was an example of racial profiling.

During the show, Bilbray addressed the Arizona immigration law and how police would determine who is illegal. Bilbray said, "They will look at the kind of dress you wear … there's different type of attire, there's different type of … right down to the shoes, right down to the clothes."

"We wanted to match an absurdity with an absurdity. Brian Bilbray's comments that you could identify an undocumented person by their shoes is absurd," said Fredi Avalos of the Campaign to Save Bilbray's "Sole."

After chanting outside of Bilbray's office, the protesters proceeded inside with a large number of shoes.

Even though Bilbray was in his office, he left the unpleasant job of talking to the protesters to his district director Christy Guerin. When she disagreed with the protesters' interpretation of Bilbray's comments, things got heated.

"No, that's now what he said," Guerin said to the group.

"That is exactly what he said," one protester responded.

"If that's your interpretation, that's fine," said Guerin.

Guerin said the protesters are distorting Bilbray's comment. She said someone's manner of dress can in fact be a legitimate way to determine whether to be suspicious about their immigration status. But she admitted Bilbray could have said it differently.

"I think that he could've perhaps articulated it better," said Guerin.

The protesters said they want Bilbray to apologize for the remarks.

As for the shoes left behind, officials at Bilbray's office said they would donate them to the Community Service Center in Encinitas.