Mississippi is reportedly contemplating a proposed bill that would establish a bounty system for locating and apprehending illegal immigrants.
The legislation, announced on Wednesday by DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton, aims to incentivize bounty hunters with rewards for aiding in the deportation of illegal immigrants.
According to RedState, the legislation, known as House Bill 1484, is the brainchild of State Representative Justin Keen (R). The bill seeks to establish the Illegal Alien Certified Bounty Hunter Program, a novel approach to tackling the issue of illegal immigration.
Keen, in a statement, emphasized the dangers posed by illegal immigrants, particularly those with criminal tendencies. He cited the tragic case of Laken Riley, whose life was claimed by an illegal immigrant. Keen stated, "Weve seen firsthand the danger posed by bad actors and violent criminals who enter this country illegally, like the innocent life of Laken Riley." He further expressed his support for the Trump administration's prioritization of deporting illegal immigrants, adding, "we are proud to do our part here in Mississippi to help support his agenda and protect our citizens.
The proposed legislation is not the first of its kind. In 2024, a similar measure was introduced in Missouri, offering state residents a $1,000 reward for reporting illegal immigrants. The bill, Senate Bill 72, was proposed by State Senator-elect David Gregory (R). The proposed bounty hunter program would allow Americans to earn a substantial reward for reporting illegal aliens to authorities.
The Mississippi bill, like its Missouri counterpart, offers a $1,000 reward for the capture of illegal immigrants by registered bounty hunters. The reward would be funded by the general assembly and administered by the state treasurer, as reported by RedState.
Illegal immigration is a pressing issue that significantly contributed to the re-election of President Trump. The problem has been exacerbated by President Biden's perceived inaction on border and immigration issues. Crimes committed by illegal immigrants are a growing concern, particularly in border states.
The proposed legislation in Mississippi, however, is not without its critics. Some argue that the bill may be a step too far. However, the legislation specifies that only "certified bounty hunters" would be eligible for the rewards, implying a level of required training.
The bill, authored by State Representative Justin Keen, aims to allow certified bounty hunters to assist in identifying and reporting illegal aliens, thereby accelerating deportation efforts in line with the Trump Administrations immigration priorities.
Predictably, the proposed legislation has sparked a backlash from the left, with critics drawing comparisons to an old television Western starring Richard Boone. However, these comparisons may be misplaced. The bill does not advocate for the capture and detention of illegal immigrants, but rather their identification and reporting.
The issue of illegal immigration is a serious one, and the proposed legislation represents an innovative approach to tackling it. While immigration is primarily a federal issue, with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Border Patrol bearing the brunt of the responsibility, there is room for states to contribute. The proposed bounty hunter program could be a viable way for states to assist in this effort.
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