A new bill introduced by Missouri State Sen.-elect David Gregory aims to incentivize citizens to report illegal migrants by offering a $1,000 reward.
The proposed legislation, known as SB 72, would create a system for Missourians to report undocumented individuals through a toll-free hotline, email, and online portal managed by the Department of Public Safety. Gregory, a Republican representing a suburban district west of St. Louis, described the bill as part of his commitment to combating illegal immigration.
Additionally, the bill would establish the “Missouri Illegal Alien Certified Bounty Hunter Program,” which would allow licensed bail bond agents or surety recovery agents to act as bounty hunters tasked with locating and detaining illegal immigrants. The legislation would also make it a felony for individuals to be in the state illegally.
Gregory, who ran on a platform focused on addressing illegal immigration, emphasized the need for proactive measures to prevent potential criminal activity by undocumented individuals. The bill is seen as part of a broader national debate on immigration, particularly as the U.S. faces rising numbers of illegal border crossings.
