Missouri’s Bounty Hunter Legislation for Illegal Immigrants Aims to Establish a State-Level ICE Equivalent
The Show-Me State is considering a bill that would mandate life imprisonment for violent illegal immigrants found guilty of trespassing.
A proposed bounty-hunter bill in Missouri, aimed at violent illegal immigrants, would also establish a state-level organization similar to the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), allowing for the indefinite incarceration of dangerous individuals.
The legislation would also enable residents of Missouri to earn a $1,000 bounty for reporting illegal immigrants who are detained.
Republican Sen. David Gregory, the bill’s sponsor, shared with The Epoch Times that a revised version of the bill focuses on apprehending dangerous criminals in the state, including members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang.
He noted that nonviolent illegal immigrants would not be subject to enforcement under this bill.
“If they’re not dangerous, we let them go,” stated Gregory. “The illegal immigration crisis remains a primary concern for Americans, and addressing it requires a unified approach.”
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During his campaign for a second presidential term in 2024, President Donald Trump made illegal immigration a key issue. Following his election, he signed numerous executive orders aimed at securing the borders of the United States and deporting individuals residing unlawfully, particularly those with criminal records.
SB 72 would establish a state initiative with oversight from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and would allow state law enforcement to assist in identifying and detaining illegal immigrants.
All law enforcement agencies in Missouri would be obligated to provide the state Department of Public Safety (DPS) with any information they require regarding illegal immigration.
Furthermore, officers statewide would be required to collaborate with DHS for the “apprehension, detention, or removal of individuals unlawfully present in the United States.”
Public Dangers Denied Bail
The bill requires DPS to seek arrest warrants for illegal immigrants and notify ICE upon detention.
If ICE does not assume custody within two business days, the individual will appear before a state judge to assess if they are “legally seeking asylum.”
Charges against legitimate asylum seekers would be dismissed and they would be released unless they are wanted for another crime, as stipulated in the bill.
If an individual is not seeking asylum, the judge would evaluate whether they “pose a danger to the community.”
Those deemed a threat to public safety would be denied bail and remain incarcerated, while nonviolent individuals would be released under specific court conditions.
The DPS would implement a program to train “certified bounty hunters” or bail bond agents to track down individuals who have crossed the border illegally and are present in Missouri. Bounty hunters, in collaboration with law enforcement, would have the authority to apprehend suspected illegal immigrants after securing a warrant, according to the bill.
Similar Proposals in Other States
Efforts to replicate the Missouri bounty hunter bill were made by lawmakers in Mississippi with House Bill 1484, although it did not advance out of committee and ultimately failed in the state legislature earlier this month.
Such agreements can provide ICE with additional resources and logistical support necessary for the arrest and deportation of millions of illegal immigrants.
