Immigration in Missouri

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3243: Establishes provisions regarding placement of a child if a child's parent or legal guardian has been subject to a federal enforcement action

HB 3243 requires Missouri state agencies and schools to notify the Children's Division within 24 hours if a child's parent or legal guardian faces federal immigration enforcement (like detention or deportation). The Children's Division must then assess the child's safety, needs, and placement options, prioritizing relatives or known caregivers when safe and appropriate. Schools must maintain educational stability for affected children, and the bill explicitly prohibits state agencies from asking about immigration status or interfering with federal enforcement. This law aims to protect children's well-being during parental immigration actions while aligning with existing child welfare standards.

Topics ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3240: Modifies the definition of sanctuary policy

HB 3240 redefines "sanctuary policy" to include municipal actions that hinder federal immigration enforcement, such as restricting officials from sharing information about individuals without legal immigration status or blocking federal enforcement efforts. The bill prohibits municipalities from adopting such policies, making them ineligible for state grants until the policy is repealed. It also requires municipalities to provide written notice to law enforcement officers about their duty to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. This law, effective January 1, 2009, directly affects all cities, towns, and counties in Missouri.

Topics ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3542: Establishes the "Community Safety and Law Enforcement Integrity Act"

HB 3542, the "Community Safety and Law Enforcement Integrity Act," prohibits state and local law enforcement agencies from using public funds, personnel, or facilities to assist federal immigration enforcement or entering into immigration enforcement agreements with the federal government. It requires immediate termination of existing agreements and imposes civil penalties of $25,000 per violation, with funds going to public schools. The bill directly affects county sheriffs, local police departments, and state agencies by restricting their cooperation with federal immigration authorities, while also requiring ICE agents to display identification and obtain warrants for home entries during operations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3192: Establishes the "Missouri Automatic License Plate Reader Regulation Act"

HB 3192 establishes regulations for law enforcement use of Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) systems in Missouri. It restricts ALPR use to specific purposes like criminal investigations, missing persons cases, and stolen vehicle alerts - banning general surveillance, immigration enforcement, or monitoring lawful activity. The bill requires law enforcement to destroy ALPR data within 30 days (unless tied to an active investigation or alert) and mandates annual reporting on system use, including scan counts, alerts, and outcomes. These rules directly affect all Missouri state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies operating ALPR systems.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✗ Immigration ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement

in committee · Missouri · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 1798: Requires the Missouri driver's license written examination to be administered in English and prohibits the use of translators

HB 1798 requires that the written portion of Missouri's driver's license examination be administered exclusively in English, prohibiting the use of translators during this test. This change directly affects applicants for new or renewed driver's licenses who do not speak English fluently, as they must now complete the written test without language assistance. The bill does not alter other components of the licensing process, such as vision tests, practical driving tests, or exceptions for military members or license holders from reciprocal states. It specifically targets the written exam's language requirement, ensuring all applicants must demonstrate understanding of traffic laws in English. This policy change applies to all applicants taking the written test, regardless of prior license status or background.

Topics ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3148: Allows persons who are permanent residents of the United States who have been honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces to serve as law enforcement officers in this state

HB 3148 repeals Missouri's previous requirement that law enforcement officers must be U.S. citizens, replacing it with a provision allowing certain permanent residents to serve. The bill specifically permits individuals who are lawful permanent residents of the U.S. and have been honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces to work as police officers, turnkeys, or police officers in Missouri. This change directly affects military veterans with permanent residency status who were previously barred from these roles due to citizenship requirements. The key mechanism is the updated eligibility criterion in section 84.120(2), which expands the qualifying group beyond U.S. citizens alone.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Citizenship & Naturalization

in committee · Missouri · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 2667: Establishes the "Eliminate Criminal Profiteering Act"

HB 2667, titled the "Eliminate Criminal Profiteering Act," modifies negligence claims in Missouri. It prohibits individuals engaged in "wrongful conduct" (defined as criminal activity or intentional torts) from suing for negligence related to that conduct, shifting the burden of proof to the defendant (Section 3). Additionally, it bars unauthorized immigrants from recovering general damages or lost wages in negligence claims arising from automobile accidents, requiring plaintiffs to prove lawful status via documentation (Section 4). The law directly affects plaintiffs in security negligence cases involving criminal activity and immigrant plaintiffs in car accident claims. It does not change criminal laws but alters civil liability for specific negligence scenarios.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✗ Immigration

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2697: Changes the definition of "qualified student" for the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program

HB 2697 modifies the definition of "qualified student" for Missouri's Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program. It excludes students who are "illegal aliens" and adds two eligibility pathways: (1) students with an IEP under federal special education law, or (2) students from households earning ≤300% of the free/reduced lunch income threshold who attended public school recently or meet specific grade-level/sibling criteria. The bill directly affects students seeking scholarship funds to attend participating private, charter, or virtual schools. It does not create new funding but changes who qualifies for existing scholarship accounts under Section 166.700.

Topics ✓ Education ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics School Choice Special Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HCR 37: Condemns abuses by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, affirms the constitutional and human rights of all people within the United States, and recognizes the essential social and economic contributions of migrants to the nation

HCR 37 is a symbolic resolution condemning U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) practices it claims include unlawful detentions, racial profiling, and family separations. It affirms that all people in the U.S. - regardless of immigration status - have constitutional rights and recognizes migrants' vital economic contributions, including in agriculture, healthcare, and other key sectors. The resolution does not change laws but directs Missouri’s Congressional delegation and an ICE official to receive a copy of this non-binding statement. It addresses concerns that ICE actions have caused harm, discouraged community engagement, and violated due process protections.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies Tags Civil Liberties

in committee · Missouri · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 2511: Modifies provisions relating to employment of unauthorized aliens

HB 2511 requires state contractors, public employers, and businesses receiving state contracts or subsidies to verify employees' work authorization through a federal program (like E-Verify) and submit annual sworn affidavits confirming they do not knowingly employ unauthorized immigrants. It mandates that the state attorney general enforce these rules by investigating complaints, verifying immigration status via federal data, and suspending business licenses for violations after court findings. The law suspends verification requirements for 15 days during declared emergencies like natural disasters. This directly affects businesses working with Missouri state or local government, requiring them to implement new compliance procedures for employee eligibility.

Topics ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Work Authorization

All immigration bills