Feb. 7, 2025-The proposed Mississippi Illegal Alien Certified Bounty Hunter Program (House Bill 1484) that was introduced in the Mississippi House of Representatives has died in committee. The action happened Tuesday in the House Judiciary B Committee.
Supported by DeSoto County District Matthew Barton, the bill was aimed at addressing illegal immigration and expediting the deportation of undocumented immigrants. The bill, authored by state Rep. Justin Keen (R-Byhalia), was designed to allow certified bounty hunters to assist in identifying and reporting illegal aliens, ultimately helping to accelerate deportation efforts in line with the Trump Administration’s immigration priorities.
The proposed bill would have offered a $1,000 reward to registered bounty hunters for each successful deportation they help facilitate. This reward, funded by the general assembly and administered by the state treasurer, was intended to encourage collaboration between law enforcement and private citizens in identifying individuals unlawfully residing in Mississippi, thereby assisting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in their removal efforts. With the state bearing significant costs related to illegal immigration, this initiative aimed to alleviate financial burdens on Mississippi taxpayers.
