The Mississippi state legislatures shot down a proposal that would pay people a bounty for reporting people without documents so they could be deported. Now, another bill is being drafted with a similar goal.
As the Trump administration moves forward with efforts to enact harsher immigration policies and increase deportations, some states are also considering taking a harsher stance.
Recent data shows that of those currently in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, just over two-thirds do not have a criminal conviction.
The Mississippi Bail Association said they were not involved and did not express support for the bill.
Desoto County, Mississippi District Attorney Matthew Barton joined NewsNation’s The Hill to discuss why he promoted the bill.
“We’re just trying to assist at the local and state level with the Trump administration’s priority for deporting criminals who happen to be here illegally,” he said.
Defending the bill, Barton said he had seen an increase in immigrants without documents in the local jail system and he wants criminals out of his community.
