On Monday, the Senate Committee on Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety heard two bills that address immigration issues: SB 58 and SB 72.
SB 58, sponsored by Sen. Jill Carter (R-Joplin), would, among other things, create the “offense of aggravated illegal presence”, making any undocumented migrant who has committed a minor violation of Missouri law, such as running a red light or driving without a license, guilty of a class E felony, punishable by up to 4 years in prison.
SB 72, sponsored by Sen. David Gregory (R-Chesterfield), is also known as the “Bounty Hunter Bill” and has recently garnered attention because of its controversial nature. The bill would implement the “Missouri Illegal Alien Certified Bounty Hunter Program” to certify bounty hunters for the purpose of finding and detaining undocumented migrants in the state. Those who are detained under this bill would be guilty of a felony punishable by life imprisonment without eligibility for probation or parole. Furthermore, the bill would create an information system (toll-free telephone hotline and online portal) for people to report those who they think are undocumented migrants; in case someone is deported, the person who presented the report would receive a reward of $1,000.
In the days before the hearing, Bishop James V. Johnston of Kansas City-St. Joseph and Bishop Shawn McKnight of Jefferson City issued statements urging compassion amid uncertainty. Bishop McKnight mentioned the following: “As people of faith, we must advocate for solutions rooted in compassion rather than fear or unnecessary harshness. While I support the deportation of violent criminals who are unlawfully present, I stand firmly against enforcement measures that instill fear or disrupt the stability of peaceful communities. These actions violate our moral principles.”
Dozens of people showed up at the hearing to express their concerns about these bills, which are perceived as disproportionate and unfair. The MCC testified in opposition to both SB 58 and SB 72.
After all the controversy, Speaker Jon Patterson (R-Lee’s Summit) told reporters yesterday that House Republicans were not supportive of those bills and that immigration should be dealt with at the federal level: “I have not heard any enthusiasm from our members about doing any sort of bounty. I don’t think that’s something that you’re going to see on this side.”