In Missouri, a new immigration bill has sparked a lot of debate. The bill, called Senate Bill 72, proposes severe penalties for immigration violations. It includes life imprisonment without parole for some violations and a $1,000 reward for anyone who reports someone in the country without legal status.
But Missouri House Speaker Jon Patterson does not think this bill will pass in the House. On Thursday, Patterson said he doesn’t see much support for this controversial proposal. He said that while Missouri Republicans agree that the state should control illegal immigration, they are not in favor of offering rewards for reporting people.
The bill was introduced in the Missouri Senate, and a committee in the Senate recently spent several hours listening to both sides of the argument. Supporters of the bill believe that these strict measures are necessary to fight illegal immigration, while opponents argue that it would lead to dangerous and unfair practices.
The most controversial part of the bill is the idea of offering a $1,000 bounty. This means that anyone who reports someone they believe is in the country illegally could receive money. Many people find this idea concerning, saying it could encourage people to make false reports out of spite or for personal gain.
Speaker Patterson’s View
Jon Patterson, who is a Republican from Lee’s Summit, spoke out against the idea of offering bounties for reporting illegal immigrants. He said, “I haven’t heard any support from my fellow Republicans about doing something like that. It’s not something we are interested in pursuing in the House.” Patterson emphasized that the issue of immigration is being addressed at the national level and that Missouri should not take extreme measures on its own.
He also mentioned that President Donald Trump recently signed a new law called the Laken Riley Act, which aims to address immigration at the federal level. Patterson believes that this should be the focus, rather than Missouri passing state-level laws that might be too harsh.
Democrats Strongly Oppose the Bill
Democrats in the Missouri House are also strongly opposed to the bill. Rep. Bridget Walsh Moore, a Democrat from St. Louis, called the bill “a step towards fascism.” She said that it would be dangerous for refugees and other immigrants in her district. Moore compared the idea of requiring people to show their papers to actions taken during the Holocaust, calling it disrespectful and alarming.
Moore argued that the bill would create fear in communities, especially those that are already vulnerable, like immigrants and refugees. She said, “Any talk of rounding up people and checking their papers is something that should scare any real patriot.”
The Debate Continues
While Speaker Patterson believes that Senate Bill 72 will not move forward in the House, the debate on immigration continues. Some lawmakers argue that the state should do more to fight illegal immigration, while others believe the federal government should handle these issues.
Opponents of the bill are also worried about the message it sends to immigrant communities. They say that the proposed rewards for reporting people could lead to a climate of fear, where people are targeted unfairly.
As of now, it seems unlikely that Missouri will pass this law, but the conversation around immigration policy is likely to continue throughout the legislative session.
(Source : kcur.org)
