New Proposals to Incentivize Reporting Undocumented Immigrants Spark Controversy in the U.S.

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Republican lawmakers in Missouri and Mississippi have introduced controversial proposals offering $1,000 rewards for information leading to the arrest of undocumented immigrants. According to a report from El País, Michigan's measure, championed by Senator David Gregory, aims to create a "Certified Bounty Hunter Program" for individuals to assist in detaining undocumented migrants. This has ignited concerns among critics who warn of potential racial profiling and public safety issues.

The Mississippi proposal, introduced by Representative Justin Keen, faced a setback this week after being halted by a House committee. Keen claimed the legislation was necessary for community safety, referencing crimes associated with undocumented individuals, as stated in his remarks during the proposed bill's introduction.

Opponents argue the rewards could lead to increased racial discrimination and vigilante behavior. Analyst Michelle Mittelstadt from the Migration Policy Institute expressed fears that such laws could exacerbate tensions in an already polarized political environment, raising the potential for harmful consequences to public safety.

The broader context involves a significant rise in unauthorized immigrant populations in recent years, prompting legislative moves in several GOP-led states to support aggressive immigration enforcement aligned with the Trump administration's policies.

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