Mississippi District Attorney Matthew Barton is proposing a bill that would pay bounty hunters who help deport illegal immigrants.
Under the terms of House Bill 1484, the state would create the Mississippi Illegal Alien Certified Bounty Hunter Program, which would pay registered bounty hunters $1,000 for each successful deportation.
“This bill is about keeping Mississippi communities safe,” said Republican state Rep. Justin Keene, who authored the bill.
Active-duty troops begin arriving at U.S.-Mexico border in Texas and California to fight migrant crisis
White House press secretary Caroline Levitt released the image on Friday, writing to X that “deportation flights have begun.” Mississippi lawmakers are proposing paying bounty hunters to help deport illegal immigrants. (White House)
“We have seen firsthand the danger posed by bad people and violent criminals who enter this country illegally, like the innocent lives of Laken Riley,” he added. “President Trump's administration has made it clear that deporting illegal immigrants is a priority, and we here in Mississippi support his policies and pledge to do our part to protect our people. I'm proud.”
Funding for the proposed program would come from the General Assembly and be administered by the state treasurer.
Keene said the goal is to encourage cooperation between law enforcement and civilians in identifying illegal immigrants in the state. It would also ease the financial burden on Mississippi taxpayers, who pay for illegal immigration, the press release said.
President Trump arrests more than 530 illegal immigrants as child sex offenders in one day
ICE and ERO officers detained one of 216 illegal immigrants convicted of drug trafficking or drug possession. About 1.4 million illegal immigrants have been ordered deported in the United States, according to U.S. officials. (Todd Packard, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE))
The bill comes as the Trump administration continues to tout tougher policies to combat illegal immigration and crime in the United States. Federal immigration authorities arrested hundreds of undocumented immigrants with criminal records this week.
“When President Trump took office this week, he immediately recognized the emergency situation at the border and issued executive orders to combat illegal immigration and cartels,” DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton said in a statement. “This legislation builds on that foundation and empowers local leaders and communities to support the federal government’s efforts to protect our people.”
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“Legal immigration is the foundation of America, and we must ensure our borders are secure and the safety of Mississippians is our top priority,” Burton continued.
