Mississippi Law Targets Illegal Immigration Amid Controversy

A new law in Mississippi authorizes the state’s main law enforcement agency to compile a list of all immigrants living illegally in the state. The implications of this information remain uncertain, sparking concern among immigrant advocates. They fear it could become part of President Trump’s strategy to deport millions without legal status in the U.S.

The law, effective from Wednesday, allows the state’s Department of Public Safety to employ “reasonable lawful investigative means” to ascertain the identities of “illegal aliens” in Mississippi. This involves gathering names, addresses, countries of origin, and whether individuals are adults or minors. It also includes recording criminal history and deportation status details. Suspected law violators’ information is to be shared with state and local authorities, although sharing with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is neither mandated nor forbidden.

Republican state Sen. Angela Hill, who promoted the measure, asserts that states have both the right and duty to assist the federal government in deterring illegal immigration that she claims contributes to crimes like human trafficking and drug smuggling. Hill describes the law as “commonsense,” emphasizing the importance of understanding illegal immigration’s scale and impact.

An Associated Press report notes that states have enacted over 100 immigration-related laws this year. In Republican-led states, these laws often align with Trump’s agenda, such as demanding collaboration with ICE and checking voter rolls against federal entitlement systems. Conversely, Democratic-led states typically resist Trump’s policies, impose bans on ICE cooperation, and restrict immigration enforcement in sensitive locations without judicial approval.

Florida’s similar approach includes a 2021 executive order by Governor Ron DeSantis directing investigations into immigrants transported from the southwest border.

Concerns arise about the practicality of Mississippi’s ongoing effort to track immigrants illegally within its borders for two years. Factors like visa overstays, legal status applications, and state-to-state movement complicate this pursuit.

Efrén Olivares from the National Immigration Law Center notes the challenge in continuously determining someone’s immigration status given its potential changes. He fears that creating lists reminiscent of other nations’ practices is worrying.

Jessica Vaughan from the Center for Immigration Studies acknowledges the law as logical, arguing that it could alert federal authorities to illegal immigrants.

Victoria Francis from the American Immigration Council warns of the law’s potential to divert law enforcement efforts from public safety and jeopardize community trust. Lydia Grizzell of the ACLU of Mississippi highlights the risk of undermining trust with police, possibly discouraging individuals from contacting law enforcement when necessary.

Mississippi has one of the lowest percentages of undocumented immigrants in the country, with fewer than 28,000 individuals making up less than 1% of its population, according to 2023 Census Bureau data.