Staff Reports
In a time when the nation faces challenges with illegal immigration, two state leaders, Senator David Gregory of Missouri and Attorney General Matthew Barton of Mississippi, have put forth a bold proposal: utilizing bounty hunters to track down criminal illegal aliens. Their legislation, Senate Bill 72 and House Bill 1484, suggests offering a $1,000 reward for each deportation, a concept gaining traction in the heartland. This idea is seen by conservatives as a crucial step towards upholding law and order while reasserting the nation’s sovereignty.
The illegal immigration issue is not just a minor problem but a serious breach of our borders, with over 11 million illegal aliens estimated to be residing in the country. Among them are not only individuals seeking work but also dangerous criminals such as cartel members, human traffickers, and felons. The proposal to enlist bounty hunters to target criminal aliens with rap sheets or outstanding warrants aims to assist overwhelmed federal agencies like ICE and understaffed local law enforcement in apprehending these threats to public safety.
New Law Proposal: Employ Bounty Hunters to Track Illegal Immigrants, Pay $1,000 Per Deportation
Missouri and Mississippi may hire bounty hunters, paying $1,000 per deportation, to aid ICE in tracking illegal immigrants.
Attorney General Matthew Barton:
“… think of it like… pic.twitter.com/gcWAWaN7Yv
— UngaTheGreat (@UngaTheGreat) February 19, 2025
Conservatives support this initiative for several reasons. It helps restore state authority in the face of federal inaction, promotes individual initiative by empowering citizens to assist in upholding the law, and underscores the importance of prioritizing justice over sentimentality. By enabling states like Missouri and Mississippi to take action when the federal government falls short, bounty hunting for criminal illegal aliens aligns with principles of federalism and the Tenth Amendment, allowing states to protect their residents when Washington fails to do so.
Furthermore, this proposal taps into the spirit of American individualism, harkening back to the days of the Old West when citizens took it upon themselves to uphold justice. By incentivizing ordinary Americans to assist in enforcing immigration laws, the bounty hunter system fosters a sense of partnership between the public and law enforcement, echoing the community-based approach to maintaining order that has been a hallmark of American society.
While some concerns have been raised about potential abuses or overreach, safeguards such as mandatory database checks, body cameras, and citizen complaint mechanisms can help address these issues. The importance of addressing illegal immigration effectively cannot be overstated, especially in the face of rising border crossings and the spread of criminal activities associated with porous borders and sanctuary policies in certain cities. Enlisting bounty hunters to target specific criminal offenders is seen as a focused and practical approach to complementing federal deportation efforts.
In conclusion, the proposal to utilize bounty hunters in capturing criminal illegal aliens represents a conservative solution that prioritizes law and order, state sovereignty, and individual responsibility. By harnessing this model as a tool to enhance immigration enforcement efforts, states like Missouri and Mississippi are taking proactive steps to protect their communities and uphold the rule of law. It is imperative that we support initiatives like this that aim to secure our borders and safeguard the American people from criminal threats posed by illegal immigration.
