One bill would increase the fines against companies that employ illegal immigrants. The current law only fines companies $500 if they are employing illegal immigrants. The sponsor of the bill, Rep. Cynthia Davis (R), cited two companies who hired illegal immigrants in O'Fallon. She said if it's happening in O'Fallon, then it's happening elsewhere.

Representative Davis said, "Clearly $500 is so cheap that you'd actually be better off hiring your illegal aliens and paying them and the little $500 penalty and going out and hiring more."

St. Louis immigration attorney Kenneth Schmitt challenged the state's power to change the current law, saying only federal law can change it.

If a juvenile is arrested for a felony and police have probable cause to suspect the juvenile is here illegally, the second bill would require police to report juveniles to immigration. The sponsor of the bill, Rep. Bob Nance, said this bill is an effort to keep illegal juveniles who have committed crimes from returning to the streets. Opponents, like Schmitt, said this bill is unnecessary as police officers can already report anyone they find suspicious to immigration authorities and it would cause racial profiling.

The organization, Missourians Against Illegal Immigrations, appeared in favor of both bills.