Mississippi Law Authorizes Statewide List of Undocumented Immigrants

A Mississippi law scheduled to take effect Wednesday authorizes the state Department of Public Safety to collect names, addresses, countries of origin and criminal histories of undocumented immigrants living in the state. The department may use any lawful investigative methods to gather the information and is directed to share data on suspected law violations with state and local agencies.

The statute does not expressly require or bar transmission of the database to federal immigration authorities.

The law also instructs the department and county detention facilities to pursue cooperation agreements with federal immigration enforcement under Section 287(g). It remains in force for two years and could cover individuals who overstay visas. State Sen.

Angela Hill, the Republican sponsor, said the measure provides a concrete way to measure the scale of unlawful presence and address related problems such as trafficking.

Olivares, vice president of litigation at the National Immigration Law Center, told The Associated Press the tracking requirement is practically unworkable and reminiscent of lists created in other countries. Jessica Vaughan, policy director at the Center for Immigration Studies, said the law raises the chance that unlawful presence will come to federal attention, provided officials can accurately determine immigration status.

Victoria Francis of the American Immigration Council warned that the mandate could shift law-enforcement resources toward immigration checks and invite profiling of entire communities. Lydia Grizzell of the ACLU of Mississippi said the measure risks reducing residents' willingness to contact police when needed.