JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KCTV/Gray News) – A lawmaker in Missouri is proposing a bounty hunter program for illegal immigrants.
The proposed bill would pay people to catch those they believe to be in the United States illegally.
Senate Bill 72 was pre-filed to the Missouri legislature. It is sponsored by House Representative David Gregory.
Gregory wants to pay Missourians $1,000 to find and detain illegal immigrants in the state.
The first part of the bill reads that someone in Missouri illegally is “prohibited from voting in any election, receiving any permit or license to drive, receive any public benefit, and becoming a legal resident of this state.”
It’s important to note that it is already illegal to vote if you are not a citizen.
It also states the Department of Public Safety should develop an information system for people to report violations.
The bill says funds would be appropriated by the General Assembly.
Attorneys are now reacting, saying the idea of putting a bounty on someone’s head is “incredibly dangerous.”
“This is a classic demanding papers situation – you must have your papers everywhere. This is Nazi Germany stuff,” said Javad Khazalei, immigration and civil rights attorney.
KCTV reached out to Gregory for a statement and is awaiting a response.
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