Missouri is considering a new bill that aims to create a state version of the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and impose strict penalties on violent illegal immigrants.
• Senate Bill (SB) 72 proposes life imprisonment without parole for dangerous illegal immigrants convicted of felony trespassing in Missouri.
• The bill allows Missouri residents to earn $1,000 rewards for reporting illegal immigrants who get arrested.
• Sponsored by Republican Sen. David Gregory, the bill targets violent criminals, specifically naming gang members, while nonviolent illegal immigrants would not be pursued.
• The bill establishes a program for state law enforcement to work with the U. S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in finding and detaining illegal immigrants.
• Law enforcement agencies in Missouri must provide information about illegal immigration to the state Department of Public Safety (DPS) and cooperate with DHS in detaining illegal immigrants.
• The bill outlines a process for illegal immigrants to appear before a state judge who would determine their asylum status and potential risk to the community.
• If deemed dangerous, they would be denied bail; if nonviolent, they may be released under court conditions.
• The DPS is responsible for training “certified bounty hunters” to pursue illegal immigrants, aiming to enhance enforcement measures.
• Similar proposals have emerged in other states, with varying levels of success.
The proposed Missouri bounty-hunter bill seeks to enhance state powers to address illegal immigration by imposing severe penalties on violent offenders while offering financial incentives for citizens to report illegal immigrants.
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