Government agencies plan for cash rewards for private bounty hunters to locate undocumented immigrants

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) -- Recent legislative proposals have explored utilizing private contractors or "bounty hunters" for immigration enforcement to track down and locate undocumented immigrants.

They use surveillance and location verification in order to increase arrest numbers. The reward is said to start at $1,000.

One nonprofit, "United Youth We Stand" says they've received reports of bounty hunters across the valley through social media raising concerns about safety and legality. "What we do is we look at all the photos of cars being used to detain undocumented immigrants in the valley on social media. From there, after verifying, we are able to alert the community and keep each other safe," said Marilyn Aguilar.

"Ford Explorers, gray and white Ram 1500s. The Ford Explorer is more often black or a dark blue, and I think I've also seen them using minivans a few times, " said Aguilar.

Organizers say their goal isn't to create fear, but to make sure families know their rights as immigration enforcement continues in the valley and nationwide.