Mississippi Immigration Enforcement Act of 2025; enact.
The bill is expected to have significant implications on state laws, particularly concerning the handling of unauthorized aliens within Mississippi. It requires local law enforcement agencies to enter into written agreements with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in compliance with federal immigration law, particularly under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This represents a shift towards increased collaboration between local and federal authorities regarding immigration enforcement, which proponents argue is necessary to uphold immigration laws effectively.
Senate Bill 2511, known as the Mississippi Immigration Enforcement Act of 2025, establishes new regulations designed to enhance the enforcement of immigration laws within the state. The bill mandates the creation of an Illegal Immigration Enforcement Unit within the Department of Public Safety, tasked with enforcing both federal and state immigration laws. This unit will be funded through an Illegal Immigration Enforcement Fund generated by fees collected on money transmission transactions. Specifically, licensed money transmission businesses will be required to impose a fee on transactions, which will then be directed to support the operations of this enforcement unit.
However, the bill raises several points of contention among lawmakers and advocacy groups. Critics argue that the law may lead to racial profiling and could impose undue burdens on local law enforcement, diverting resources away from other critical areas of public safety. Additionally, there are concerns regarding the potential chilling effect on the immigrant community, who may feel less safe reporting crimes or seeking assistance from law enforcement due to fear of deportation. Supporters of the bill, on the other hand, believe that it will result in stronger immigration enforcement and promote public safety by addressing illegal immigration more forcibly.