New Tip Line Would Pay $1,000 to Report Illegal Immigrants

A Missouri state senator has introduced new legislation that would create a state-level hotline where individuals could report suspected undocumented immigrants.

If a tip results in an arrest, the person who provided the information could receive a $1,000 reward.

Why It Matters

Republicans across the country are looking to implement a hard-line immigration agenda that aligns with President Donald Trump’s vision for tougher measures.

Immigration was a core element of Trump’s 2024 campaign and helped Republicans sweep to power on a national level. While large majorities of Democrats and Republicans agree that the immigration system is broken, as indicated in a recent New York Times/Ipsos poll, Americans disagree on how policies such as deportations should be carried out and on the level of assistance for migrants.

What to Know

Missouri State Senator David Gregory (R-St. Louis) has introduced Senate Bill 72 (SB 72), which aims to create a State Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) program. The legislation would empower Missouri law enforcement to collaborate with federal agencies and investigate illegal immigration at the state level.

SB 72 introduces several key provisions aimed at addressing illegal immigration at the state level.

It classifies illegal immigration as a state crime under the designation of “felony trespassing.” The bill also expands the authority of the Department of Public Safety (DPS), granting it the power to investigate immigration status, collaborate with ICE, and execute arrest warrants. Additionally, it establishes an anonymous tip line modeled after federal ICE tip lines, allowing individuals to report suspected illegal immigration. If a tip leads to an arrest, the person who provided the information may get a $1,000 reward.

The legislation establishes a process in which the Department of Public Safety receives tips, prompting law enforcement to conduct an investigation. If authorities determine that an individual is in the country unlawfully, an arrest warrant is issued. The arrest is then carried out by law enforcement or licensed bounty hunters who have been trained and dispatched by the Department of Public Safety, according to state Republicans.

“ICE continues to request state and local law enforcement cooperation, calling it ‘crucial for the identification, arrest and removal of criminal noncitizens.’ Some jurisdictions across the country are minimally cooperating or even completely refusing to cooperate with ICE’s efforts. We’re stepping up and finding a way to help,” Gregory said in a statement. “Not only does this bill create the framework we need to effectively cooperate with ICE, it establishes state-level investigations to arrest illegal immigrants.”

The bill has faced strong opposition from some lawmakers as Missouri Democrats are pushing back on the policy. State Senator Tracy McCreery expressed concern about the bill’s potential impact on Missouri’s undocumented population. McCreery told Newsweek the policy is inhumane and discriminatory.

State Senator Maggie Nurrenbern lambasted the policy, describing it as a publicity stunt.

It’s estimated that there are around 20,000 Missourians in mixed-status families, with many of the immigrants in those families having lived in the U.S. for nearly two decades.

There were around 59,300 undocumented migrants in the state, per the American Immigration Council’s last estimate from 2022.

What People Are Saying

Gregory said in a statement: “We all know the illegal immigration crisis continues to be one of the top concerns of Americans, and it’s a crisis that can only be fixed with a collaborative effort.”

“Only the Department of Public Safety has the authority to inquire and investigate and only the Department of Public Safety or local police can make the arrest if a warrant is issued. At no point is there a ‘bounty’ on someone and at no point can bounty hunters determine for themselves who they want to investigate or arrest.”

“To be clear, we value and highly encourage legal immigration. Illegal immigration, however, undermines our immigration process, threatens our safety and makes a mockery of those who have come here responsibly.”

McCreery told Newsweek: “This legislation is inhumane and discriminatory. Only about 1% of Missouri’s population is undocumented, and statistically, those folks are not a threat to Missouri residents. Nearly 35,000 US citizens in Missouri live with at least one family member who is undocumented. The legislation would hurt marginalized communities across our state, with potentially lethal repercussions that would tear families apart.”

Nurrenbern told Newsweek: “America needs a secure border to stop the flow of fentanyl into our communities, and we need to fix a broken immigration system that is too often bogged down by bureaucracy and red tape, creating a workforce shortage across the country. These are serious challenges that need serious solutions. However, Senate Bill 72 is neither serious nor a solution. This legislation is a publicity stunt from a politician eager to make a name for himself.”

What Happens Next

Senate Bill 72 will now move through the Missouri legislative process, where it will be debated in committee before potentially advancing to a full vote.