WASHINGTON -- South Carolina senators Jim DeMint and Lindsey Graham largely remained on different sides of the immigration debate this week, as lawmakers revised a bill designed to balance security along the border with policy for dealing with an estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants.

DeMint stood by his declaration that U.S. immigration policy should be built on twin goals -- tough enforcement to stop illegal border crossings and the return of undocumented immigrants to their home countries.

Graham argued the nation needs tighter security and a program that makes it likely most undocumented immigrants "will come out of the shadows." He supports a program that allows undocumented immigrants a path to legal residency if they make restitution by paying a $2,000 fine plus back taxes, provide proof of continuous employment, learn English and stay out of trouble with the law.

South Carolinians have weighed in with calls and letters to both men.

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DeMint's offices in the state and in Washington reported a surge in phone calls since May 1. Like DeMint, 96 percent of the 255 callers believe undocumented immigrants should not be allowed to stay in the United States and qualify for le- gal residency. Another 71 of 72 callers opposed any government benefits for non-citizens here illegally.

According to DeMint's office, immigration accounted for 39 percent of all phone calls, e-mails and letters so far this year. Immigration correspondence outstripped correspondence on health care, the No. 2 concern, and homeland security, the No. 3 concern.

Graham's local and Washington offices logged 800 to 900 phone calls and letters on immigration issues this week.

The volume was on par with other big issues such as a constitutional amendment on gay marriage and Supreme Court nominations, spokesman Kevin Bishop said.

Bishop said support and opposition for Graham's position is evenly divided.

"We receive support from individuals, many in the business community, because they know that Sen. Graham supports the compromise legislation," Bishop said. "They encourage him to keep up the work and push forward.

"We receive negative calls from people who usually say they want the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the country to be deported immediately," he added.

Graham and DeMint agreed on a border security proposal to build a 370-mile triple-layered fence and more than 500 miles of barriers along sections of the U.S.-Mexico border. The amendment passed unanimously.

"Tougher border security is a vital and necessary component in comprehensive immigration reform," Graham said.

The South Carolina senators also voted for a hot-button amendment to make English the "national" language and require legal permanent residents to prove they have learned English.

The two senators joined 97 colleagues to bar from legal residency undocumented immigrants who ignored deportation orders or were convicted of a felony or three misdemeanors.

Graham and DeMint parted ways over a proposal to delete a key provision giving some undocumented immigrants a chance to qualify for citizenship.

DeMint voted for it, while Graham voted against it. The proposal failed. Supporters of a comprehensive security and immigration bill said the amendment would have turned the legislation into an enforcement-only bill. Graham and DeMint also split over an amendment to deny undocumented immigrants their Social Security benefits if they earned those benefits while working under a false or stolen Social Security number.

Graham voted against it, while DeMint backed it.

"American citizens often have their identities stolen so that some illegal immigrants can fraudulently gain employment. Why in the world would we endorse this criminal activity with federal benefits?" DeMint said afterward.

Graham said he supports "putting people on probation and making them pay their debt to society."

But he drew the line at taking away undocumented immigrants' Social Security contributions, saying it was counterproductive.

"Why would you want to take away Social Security contributions they have made to retirement?" Graham asked. "The contributions mean one less burden (for society at retirement). That's not punishment -- that's revenge."