A new bill in Missouri seeks to offer residents $1,000 for reporting illegal immigrants to authorities. The legislation, introduced by state Sen.-elect David Gregory (R), also includes a provision to certify bail bond agents as bounty hunters tasked with detaining illegal immigrants.
Senate Bill 72 would establish an online system for reporting illegal immigrants to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Residents who make successful reports would be eligible for the $1,000 bounty. Additionally, the “Missouri Illegal Alien Certified Bounty Hunter Program” would empower certified individuals to actively search for undocumented immigrants.
The proposal goes further by creating penalties for undocumented immigrants found in Missouri. Those convicted of “trespass by an illegal alien” would be denied public benefits, barred from voting or obtaining driver’s licenses, and disqualified from becoming legal residents of the state.
This bill is part of a larger effort by Missouri Republicans to tighten immigration laws. Other proposed measures include imposing fines on sanctuary cities, requiring businesses to verify workers’ legal status, and introducing criminal penalties for immigration offenses.
Gov. Mike Parson (R) has already taken steps to address immigration concerns. Earlier this year, he directed $2.2 million toward sending Missouri law enforcement and National Guard troops to Texas to assist in border security operations under “Operation Lonestar.”
The proposals have sparked debate, with supporters arguing that they are necessary to combat illegal immigration effectively. Critics, however, caution that the measures could encourage racial profiling and create risks for legal residents.
If enacted, the legislation would make Missouri one of the most aggressive states in addressing illegal immigration, reflecting a growing divide between Republican-led states and the Biden-Harris administration over immigration policy.
