A newly elected Missouri state senator has introduced legislation offering a $1,000 incentive for reporting individuals suspected of being undocumented immigrants to law enforcement. Republican Senator-elect David Gregory's proposed bill, SB 72, would establish a system within the Department of Public Safety to facilitate these reports, including a hotline, email address, and online portal.
The legislation also proposes the creation of the "Missouri Illegal Alien Certified Bounty Hunter Program," permitting licensed bail bond and surety recovery agents to participate in locating and apprehending individuals residing in the state without legal authorization. Furthermore, the bill seeks to criminalize the presence of undocumented immigrants within Missouri, making it a felony offense.
Senator-elect Gregory has stated that this bill fulfills a campaign promise to address illegal immigration, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures to prevent potential crimes. He believes that involving citizens in identifying undocumented individuals is crucial to achieving this goal.
This proposed legislation comes as President-elect Trump has indicated plans for increased deportations during his second term.
