Racism no longer hides in the United States: a thousand dollars to point to an undocumented migrant

The president of the United States, Donald Trump, is not alone in his anti -immigrant crusade. Converting undocumented people into the enemy has been the xenophobic and racist argument that has inspired two legislators of Republican states to propose rewards for those who denounce foreigners who are illegally in the country. The offer contemplates with 1,000 dollars to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest of any undocumented migrant.

By the country of Spain

In Mississippi, the proposal presented by Republican representative Justin Keen stopped in the Legislative Committee this week, but in Missuri, he follows his process and debate in the Assembly. The initiative increases the fear that racist acts occur among a population that is already polarized by the anti -immigrant crusade that the president has launched in the two weeks he has been in power. «There is no doubt that there could be unforeseen repercussions, especially with regard to public security, the elaboration of racial profiles and discrimination,» warns Michelle Mittelstadt, director of Communication of the Institute of Migration Policy (MPI, for its acronym, for its acronym in English).

In Misuri, Republican Senator David Gregory presented the SB72 bill at the end of last year and in the legislative session held at the Public Security Committee on January 27. «If an illegal foreigner is arrested and imprisoned under this section as a result of a report to the information system, the person who made the report will be eligible to receive a reward of one thousand dollars to provide said report,» the proposal collects. If the track is true, the arrested person would be accused of «illegal invasion by an illegal foreigner» and subject to life imprisonment without probation if the federal immigration authorities are not responsible for their custody and deportation.

Gregory’s proposal also contemplates the creation of a figure more typical of past centuries in a stage of the distant west: hunting. The so -called Cardreompens program certified for illegal foreigners of Missuri It would certify people to dedicate themselves to find and stop undocumented migrants. Gregory explained that it would work as «a state ICE», the Office of Customs Immigration and Control, responsible for carrying out the arrests and deportations of migrants.

The aggressiveness of the proposal caused a strong encounter in the Senate debate, where dozens of people testified against them. The Republican, whom he has labeled «fascist», criticized the media coverage of his plan and assured that the hunting would not go through the streets stopping freely and that they would only do so if there is an arrest warrant.

State Senator Barbara Washington, a Kansas City Democrat, denounced that the proposal encourages people to make racist reports based on skin color or English domain. «Do not tell me that it will not happen because it is happening now,» said Washington, according to the media Missouri Independent.

It is not the only state proposal against migrants. Republican senator Jill Carter defended another bill that creates new crimes based on immigration status. Simply for being undocumented, a person could be accused of «inappropriate income» and be punished with a fine of up to 10,000 dollars and expelled to an entrance port for later deportation. These projects are an example of how many states governed by Republicans are promoting laws that are aligned with the anti -immigrant offensive activated by Trump, encouraging local authorities to participate in the magnate campaign.

Failure in Mississippi

In the case of Mississippi, the bill was similar to that of Missuri and contemplated a reward of $ 1,000 for the complainants who would facilitate the arrest of the undocumented and the creation of the figure of the hunt. Its author, republican legislator Justin Keen adjusted to the argument so disseminated by Trump that migrants are criminals to defend his proposal. «This legislation aims to keep Mississippi communities safe,» he said. «We have seen firsthand the danger that bad actors and violent criminals represent that illegally enter this country, such as Laken Riley’s innocent life,» he said in reference to the Georgia student who was killed by an undocumented migrant the year past and has given name to the law that will allow deportation for minor crimes. «The administration of President Trump has made it clear that deporting illegal immigrants is a priority and we are proud to do our part here in Mississippi to help support his agenda and protect our citizens.» The project, however, died in the attempt.

In Mississippi some of the biggest raids in workplaces during Trump’s first mandate. In August 2019, ICE agents broke into chicken processing plants and arrested almost 700 people. «The 2019 raids were emblematic of the punitive, inhuman, retaliation and racial motivation of the Trump administration,» says a report from the National Justice Center for Migrants.

The popular rejection of irregular migration has increased in parallel to the increase in undocumented arrivals. Between 2019 and 2023, the population of unauthorized migrants grew three million, or an average of 6% per year, according to MPI data. The country had not seen such large increases since the early 2000s. Its estimates point out that in 2023 there were 13.7 million undocumented migrants. However, the measures imposed by the administration of Joe Biden last year, such as asylum restriction, reduced minimal not seen since 2020 the illegal crosses on the border.

It is not clear if the bill will progress in Misuri, but Trump’s mass deportation campaign has broad popular support. A survey of The New York Times and Ipsos from January 2 to 10 revealed that 55% of voters firmly or partially support such plans. 63% agree to expel those who entered illegally in the last four years and 88% support to deport immigrants who are illegally here and have a criminal record.