Bounty Hunters could be deployed to catch migrants—Mississippi Governor

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Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves has not ruled out supporting a proposal to pay bounty hunters $1,000 rewards for aiding in the deportation of undocumented immigrants, following a proposal by state lawmakers.

When Newsweek asked whether he would back such a policy, Reeves’ office issued a statement suggesting the governor is open to a wide range of measures aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration.

A senior Reeves aide, Cory Custer, told Newsweek, When it comes to keeping Mississippians safe, Governor Reeves has said that nothing is off the table.”

Mississippi Republican Governor Tate Reeves speaks to members of the press in November 2023 in Flowood, Mississippi.

Brandon Bell/Getty

Why It Matters

Lawmakers in Mississippi and Missouri have proposed expanding powers for bounty hunters to carry out immigration enforcement.

Trump made immigration a central theme of his successful presidential campaign. Americans largely support immigration reform overall but disagree about how policies such as deportations should be carried out.

A majority of Americans support Trump’s current deportation plans. A poll carried out by The New York Times and Ipsos from January 2 to 10 found that 55 percent of voters strongly or somewhat supported such plans. Eighty-eight percent supported “deporting immigrants who are here illegally and have criminal records.”

Large majorities of both Democrats and Republicans agreed that the immigration system is broken.

What To Know

A district attorney in Mississippi has suggested new legislation that would offer a $1,000 reward to bounty hunters for assisting in the deportation of unlawful immigrants.

DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton backed House Bill 1484, proposed by Republican state Representative Justin Keen, which aims to establish the Illegal Alien Certified Bounty Hunter Program.

This bill seeks to involve certified bounty hunters in helping to identify and apprehend undocumented immigrants.

Keen and Barton proposed providing a $1,000 reward to registered bounty hunters for each successful deportation they help facilitate. The funding for the program would be allocated by the state legislature and overseen by the state treasurer, as stated in a press release from Barton’s office.

A similar proposal was introduced in Missouri, where a state lawmaker suggested a program offering $1,000 payments to residents who report undocumented immigrants in their communities to local authorities.

State Senator-elect David Gregory, who proposed the bounty-hunter-style system, wants to allow bail bond agents to be certified to go after those believed to have crossed the border illegally.

Gregory introduced Senate Bill 72 on December 1, which would also bar undocumented migrants from receiving benefits, receiving a driver’s license or becoming a legal resident of Missouri.

What People Are Saying

Cory Custer told Newsweek: “After four disastrous years of the Biden administration, there’s no question that America needs a closed and secure border more than ever.

“Governor Reeves and the state of Mississippi are proud to support President Trump’s immigration policies because they will make our country safer. This includes deporting dangerous criminals who are in our country illegally.

“When it comes to keeping Mississippians safe, Governor Reeves has said that nothing is off the table.”

Amy Fischer, director of the Refugee and Migrant Rights program at Amnesty International USA, told Newsweek: “Let’s remember that immigration law is civil, not criminal in nature. Mobilizing bounty hunters to enforce civil immigration law is not only a terrifying use of state dollars reminiscent of slave patrols, [but] it will also undoubtedly lead to increased chaos and fear in local communities.

“Mississippi is one of the poorest states in the country and their residents deserve leadership that invests taxpayer dollars that uplift communities, rather than paying rogue bounty hunters $1,000 per immigrant neighbor being ripped out of their families and communities.”

What Happens Next

If passed, the program could inspire similar measures in other states and might lead to legal challenges from immigrant advocates and human rights groups.

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