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Congress·In Committee

Congress Proposes Labeling Major Mexican Drug Cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations

Drug Cartel Terrorist Designation Act

Also known as: Drug Cartel Terrorist Designation Act

about 1 year ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Key Points

  • This bill would require the U.S. government to officially label four major Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. These groups include the Gulf Cartel, the Cartel Del Noreste, the Sinaloa Cartel, and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
  • The Secretary of State would have 30 days to report to Congress on whether these groups meet the legal definition of terrorists. If the government decides a cartel does not qualify, they must provide a detailed explanation to Congress justifying that decision.
  • Labeling these groups as terrorists allows the U.S. government to freeze their bank accounts, block their members from entering the country, and more easily prosecute anyone who provides them with money, weapons, or other support.
  • The bill includes a specific rule stating that these new designations cannot be used to help people qualify for asylum. This ensures that being a victim of these cartels does not automatically grant someone legal status to stay in the U.S.
National Security Foreign PolicyImmigrationCriminal Justice

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

State Impacts

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Jan 31, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Jan 31, 2025

Introduced in House

Related News

4 articles
The Daily Signal·7 days ago

Roy Pushes Terrorist Designation for Mexican Drug Cartels

Rep. Chip Roy is pushing to codify an executive order declaring drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. On Jan. 31, 2025, Roy reintroduced the Drug Cartel Terrorist Designation Act to direct the State Department to designate the Gulf, Northeast, Sinaloa, and Jalisco cartels as FTOs.

R+
NewsNation·about 1 year ago

Trump declares Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations

President Trump signed an executive order designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. The designation allows the government to use military intelligence to investigate the groups and freeze their assets, though Mexican leaders have expressed opposition over sovereignty concerns.

C=
The Independent·about 1 year ago

Donald Trump warned over plan to designate drug cartels as terrorists

Experts warn that designating Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations could open doors to military operations in Mexico and disqualify individuals from seeking asylum. While it allows for economic sanctions, critics argue it may have little impact on day-to-day counter-narcotics operations.

C−

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Drug Cartel Terrorist Designation Act

Bill NumberHR 885
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(26)
R: 26

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.