Ciscomani Leads Effort to Crack Down on Cartel Spotters Along the Southern Border
January 13, 2025
WASHINGTON - U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) reintroduced legislation to increase punishment on individuals who aid and abet cartel operations along the southern border. Commonly known as “spotters”, these individuals monitor parts of the southern border and report the positions of law enforcement personnel to help cartels evade capture.
The Transnational Criminal Organization Illicit Spotter Prevention and Elimination Act (H.R. 263) would increase penalties on spotters by increasing fines and imposing a maximum prison time of 10 years on those convicted of aiding and abetting cartel activity along the border. Specifically, the bill prohibits:
- Transmitting the location, movement or activities of law enforcement personnel.
- Destroying, altering, or hiding electronic devices used by law enforcement personnel.
- Carrying or using a firearm during a human smuggling crime.
Ciscomani is joined by House colleagues Reps. Mike Lawler (NY-17), Jen Kiggans (VA-02), and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01). Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) is leading a companion bill in the Senate.
“Drug cartels and other bad actors have developed increasingly sophisticated efforts to evade Customs and Border Protection agents and local law enforcement officers at the southern border," said Ciscomani. "One aspect I hear often from frontline agents in Arizona is the urgent need to go after "spotters" who help Transnational Criminal Organizations avoid law enforcement by surveilling portions of the border and communicating their positions. This bill, which I am proud to lead again in the House, would increase punishments on spotters and sends a powerful message to anyone who is aiding or abetting cartel operations that they will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
“I’m putting cartels on notice – the era of open borders is over,” said Ernst. “Republicans are restoring law and order and securing the homeland by giving Border Patrol the tools they need to do their job and creating real consequences for criminals. We are going to protect Americans.”
Read the Breitbart exclusive on this legislation here.
Background:
- This is the second border bill Ciscomani has introduced in the 119th Congress. He previously reintroduced the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act (H.R. 35).
- Ciscomani co-sponsored and voted in favor of the Laken Riley Act (H.R. 29).
- Listen to Ciscomani discuss this bill here.
- Ciscomani represents Arizona’s sixth congressional district which includes part of the U.S.-Mexico border in the U.S. Border Patrols Tucson Sector. The Tucson Sector has historically seen large number of “get aways” who are often enabled by spotters.
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