A Missouri lawmaker has drawn national attention and criticism for a controversial proposal that offers residents $1,000 rewards for reporting illegal immigrants. State Senator-elect David Gregory (R) pre-filed Senate Bill 72, a bold initiative aimed at empowering citizens and law enforcement to crack down on illegal immigration within the state.
The proposed legislation establishes a system where residents can anonymously report suspected illegal immigrants, leading to their arrest and potential deportation. Gregory compares the plan to established programs like Crime Stoppers, arguing it incentivizes public participation in immigration enforcement.
“This bill will finally empower our police and our communities to protect themselves,” Gregory said in a video posted to X (formerly Twitter). “This bill will make it a felony to be here in this state illegally. It’ll allow our Department of Public Safety to investigate, determine if someone’s here illegally, and dispatch bounty hunters to effect those arrests.”
The lawmaker addressed critics head-on, saying his proposal is designed to protect Missouri residents and ensure public safety.
One of the bill’s most contentious provisions is the $1,000 reward for reporting illegal immigrants. Gregory envisions it as a practical and anonymous system modeled after federal hotlines.
“Submit an anonymous tip that leads to the arrest of an illegal immigrant, and you’ll be rewarded $1,000,” Gregory explained.
He also took the opportunity to signal support for former President Donald Trump, adding, “Missouri will have dangerous illegal immigrants gift-wrapped and ready for deportation.”
The bill would also restrict illegal immigrants from voting, driving, receiving public benefits, or obtaining legal residency in the state.
The proposal has faced fierce backlash from civil rights advocates, Democratic lawmakers, and legal experts, who argue it could lead to discrimination, abuse, and a culture of mistrust.
“This is a classic demanding papers situation – you must have your papers everywhere,” said Javad Khazalei, an immigration and civil rights attorney, in an interview with KCTV. “This is Nazi Germany stuff.”
Democratic State Senator Brian Williams expressed concerns that the bill could sow division and foster unnecessary targeting of individuals.
“Right now, it sounds like the public is going to not only get finger-pointing but potentially be subject to various situations of discrimination,” Williams said. “Missourians expect us to find solutions and not point fingers and not point people out of a public lineup.”
Critics also raised logistical and ethical questions. How will the state ensure that anonymous reports are credible? How will tipsters collect rewards without compromising their anonymity? And how will the program avoid the pitfalls of existing systems like Child Protective Services hotlines, which are sometimes exploited for personal vendettas?
Gregory argues that the bill is a necessary step to address illegal immigration and protect both citizens and legal immigrants. He emphasized his belief in legal immigration while condemning its illegal counterpart.
“Let’s do this right to protect our people because immigration is good,” Gregory said. “Illegal immigration is bad.”
Supporters of the bill see it as a common-sense approach to combating illegal immigration in a state where Republicans control the legislature by a significant margin. Missouri Republicans hold a 23-7 majority in the Senate and more than a 2-to-1 advantage in the House.
Despite Republican dominance in Missouri’s legislature, the bill may face hurdles in gaining widespread support. Immigration remains a divisive issue, even among conservatives, and the proposal’s more controversial aspects could alienate moderate lawmakers.
Civil liberties groups are likely to mount legal challenges if the bill becomes law, arguing it infringes on privacy and encourages racial profiling. Critics also fear it may exacerbate tensions between immigrant communities and law enforcement.
Gregory promises further updates and clarifications about the bill’s mechanisms in the coming weeks. He has also pledged to address concerns about how anonymous tipsters would collect rewards and prevent misuse of the system.
The proposal has ignited a broader debate about immigration policy and the role of state governments in enforcing federal immigration laws. While supporters hail it as a bold step toward securing public safety, detractors warn it risks creating an atmosphere of suspicion and division.
With Missouri’s Republican-dominated legislature poised to take up the bill in the next session, all eyes will be on Jefferson City to see whether Senate Bill 72 becomes a model for other conservative states—or a cautionary tale about the risks of overreach.