Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher announced on Tuesday the formation of a new special interim committee on Illegal Immigrant Crimes. The committee, chaired by Rep. Lane Roberts, aims to address crimes committed by individuals living in Missouri illegally and find solutions to the problem. This decision comes after data showed an increase in homicide-related offenses by noncitizens in the U.S.
Despite Republican claims that the committee will enhance public safety, Democrats like Rep. David Tyson Smith believe it is unnecessary and a waste of resources. They argue that more attention should be focused on other issues, such as gun violence. However, committee members stress that illegal immigrants are responsible for bringing in substances like fentanyl and contributing to sex trafficking.
While some data suggests that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than natural-born citizens, Republicans on the committee argue that illegal immigration leads to more violent crimes. They referenced recent incidents involving individuals from Mexico and Honduras found in Missouri committing crimes.
The committee plans to hold six hearings across the state over 60 days to gather input from law enforcement on illegal immigration-related crimes. The first hearing is scheduled for July 11 in Jefferson City. Overall, the committee aims to address the impact of illegal immigration on crime in Missouri and find ways to protect citizens from potential threats.
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