Missouri immigration bills face slow legislative progress

Missouri lawmakers are working on new immigration bills, but progress is slow. Legislation has gained attention due to increased focus on immigration issues across the country. More than a dozen bills have been introduced this session. The governor, Mike Kehoe, has already signed two executive orders to address immigration. These orders include collecting immigration status from offenders and training some Missouri Highway Patrol members in federal immigration laws. Several bills aim to limit or penalize immigrants without permanent legal status. One proposed bill allows the governor to collaborate with other states to secure the U.S.-Mexico border. Another bill would create an immigration program in Missouri and make illegal entry a felony, denying these immigrants the right to vote and receive public benefits. Some bills propose fines for improper entry and make it easier to arrest immigrants lacking legal status. House Speaker Jon Patterson notes that support for harsher penalties in the House has been limited. Additionally, there are bills that would require a registry for immigrant workers and impose penalties on employers who fail to verify work status. Other proposals would fine communities that adopt sanctuary policies for immigrants. A few bills aim to protect immigrants, like one that would grant temporary occupational licenses to those who submit employment authorization documents. Overall, the future of these immigration bills remains uncertain as they move through the legislature.