A proposed bill in Missouri could make it a felony for undocumented immigrants to knowingly enter and remain in the state, with severe penalties including imprisonment without eligibility for probation or parole, .

The legislation, Senate Bill 72, introduced by Republican Sen. David Gregory, would also strip those convicted of the ability to vote, obtain a driver's license, access public benefits, and become legal residents of Missouri.

The bill also includes a provision encouraging public involvement. The Department of Public Safety would establish a system for residents to report suspected undocumented immigrants through a hotline, email, and online portal. Reports leading to an arrest would earn the informant a $1,000 reward from a state-funded program.

The bill proposes creating a "Missouri Illegal Alien Certified Bounty Hunter Program." The program would certify bounty hunters to find and detain undocumented immigrants. People already licensed as bail bond agents or surety recovery agents could apply to become certified bounty hunters under this program.

To support the bounty hunter program, the bill would establish a fund called the "Missouri Illegal Alien Certified Bounty Hunter Program Fund," which would receive money allocated by the state legislature.

There's potential for the bill to pass, given the Republican supermajority in the Missouri legislature. However, the bill is still under committee review in the Senate, and would require approval from the Senate, House, and Governor.

The reported that undocumented immigrants constitute about 1.4% of Missouri's workforce, with 7,000 being entrepreneurs and possessing approximately $1.5 billion in spending power.