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A new bill in Mississippi, if passed, would create a bounty hunting program to hunt down undocumented migrants.
DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton announced the proposed legislation in a news release.
House Bill 1484 would create the Mississippi Illegal Alien Certified Bounty Hunter Program if the state passes it into law. State Rep. Justin Keen from DeSoto County authored the bill.
Both men say this fits with immigration policy changes endorsed by President Donald Trump.
“This legislation is about keeping Mississippi communities safe,” Keen said in the news release. “We’ve seen firsthand the danger posed by bad actors and violent criminals who enter this country illegally, like the innocent life of Laken Riley. President Trump’s administration has made it clear that deporting illegal immigrants is a priority, and we are proud to do our part here in Mississippi to help support his agenda and protect our citizens.”
What would the bill do if passed?
According to the news release, the proposed legislation would “offer a $1,000 reward to registered bounty hunters for each successful deportation they help facilitate.” The funds would come from the general assembly for the state treasurer to administer, and it would go into effect July 1, 2025.
The text also defines a crime of trespass by an illegal alien as a felony “for which the authorized term of imprisonment is life imprisonment without eligibility for probation, parole, conditional release, or release except by act of the Governor or the natural death of such person.” That can change if the federal government takes custody of the person and deports them within 24 hours.
The law would also require anyone arrested on the charge to submit a DNA sample.
What are changes Trump wants to make to immigration?
Hours after Trump took office, he signed executive orders that worked to change the immigration system and send military troops to the Mexico border to combat a newly declared emergency.
“All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came,” Trump said.
The president falsely claimed that the United States is the only country with birthright citizenship, which makes any child born on American soil a citizen regardless of their parents’ citizenship. He signed an order seeking to eliminate the practice, which is protected by the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Eighteen states and the ACLU are challenging the executive order in court.
Immigration hot topics:How many H-1B visa workers are in Mississippi? Where do they work? Here’s what we know
How many undocumented migrants live in Mississippi?
An August 2024 report from the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor estimated that 22,000 undocumented migrants are in the state, costing taxpayers more than $100 million per year. The report does not note the countries of origin for most of the undocumented. The financial breakdown includes:
- $25 million for K-12 education.
- $77 million for health care.
- $1.7 million for incarceration.
“Mississippi’s illegal immigration problem is spiraling out of control and is costing taxpayers millions,” said State Auditor Shad White said in a news release. “Our public schools, hospitals, and prisons will continue to lose massive sums of money that we could have spent on our own citizens if this problem is not solved.”
The report estimated that, of the 2022 foreign-born population in the state:
- 41% are foreign-born U.S. citizens.
- 34% were here illegally.
- 24% held legal visas or had permanent legal status or family ties.
- 2% were recent naturalizations.
In DeSoto County, Barton’s release reads, approximately 1,000 undocumented migrants were booked into the county detention center during the Biden administration. The DA said illegal immigration is straining resources in Mississippi.
“This program is a vital step in assisting our law enforcement agencies to better enforce immigration laws and ensure that those in this country unlawfully are sent back to their country of origin,” said Barton. “When President Trump took office this week, he immediately recognized the emergency at our borders, rolling out executive orders to combat illegal immigration and cartels. This legislation builds upon that foundation, empowering local leaders and communities to support federal efforts in protecting our citizens. Legal immigration is a cornerstone of America, and we must ensure that our borders are secure and that the safety of Mississippians comes first.”
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.
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Mississippi lawmakers are considering a controversial bill that would allow bounty hunters to hunt down undocumented migrants in the state. The proposed legislation has sparked outrage among immigrant rights advocates, who argue that it would lead to racial profiling and violate the civil rights of immigrants.
If passed, the bill would permit bounty hunters to track down and apprehend undocumented migrants for a cash reward. Supporters of the bill claim that it would help crack down on illegal immigration and alleviate the burden on law enforcement agencies.
However, opponents argue that the bill would only serve to further marginalize and target vulnerable immigrant communities. They fear that it would create a dangerous environment where undocumented migrants are afraid to seek help or report crimes for fear of being detained.
The debate over the bill highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policy in the United States. As lawmakers continue to grapple with how to address the issue, it is clear that any legislation that targets immigrants must be carefully weighed to ensure that it upholds the values of fairness and justice for all.
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Mississippi bill, bounty hunters, undocumented migrants, immigration, legislation, law enforcement, migrant rights, border control
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