Bill · H.R. 1915· House(119-HR-1915)
Stop the Cartels Act
- Introduced
- 3/6/2025
- Last activity
- 3/6/2025 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
- Sponsored by
- Warren Davidson
- Cosponsors
- - 6 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Stop the Cartels Act" aims to improve intelligence collection regarding drug trafficking and human smuggling in specific foreign countries. It mandates several assessments of criminal activities and intelligence priorities to better address threats to the United States and the Western Hemisphere. The bill establishes a process to designate specific drug cartels as Special Transnational Criminal Organizations to allow for the freezing of assets. Additionally, it changes immigration procedures by adjusting asylum standards, increasing the number of immigration judges, and establishing refugee processing centers abroad. Finally, the act reauthorizes and increases funding for substance abuse block grants while repealing several other federal drug and mental health programs.
Yes
Does this tighten control of the border?+5
The bill enhances intelligence gathering on cartels and increases the number of immigration judges and staff.
Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths?+5
The bill significantly increases funding for state block grants for substance abuse prevention and treatment.
Does this give the federal government more power?+4
The bill expands federal authority over immigration detentions and judicial review.
The opposite· 3 of 9
Would immigrants be better off under this?-6
The bill tightens asylum standards and increases detention and removal processing.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?-6
The bill limits judicial review for certain detention decisions and modifies asylum procedures.
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?-5
The bill implements stricter asylum standards and increased detention capabilities targeting migrants.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Intelligence on Criminal Threats: The bill requires detailed assessments of how drug trafficking and human smuggling impact security and the economy in covered countries (Section 101; Section 102). This could help the government better understand and prepare for threats posed by organized crime.
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Targeted Action Against Cartels: By allowing the designation of organizations as Special Transnational Criminal Organizations, the government can block financial transactions and freeze assets belonging to those groups (Section 106).
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Increased Immigration Court Capacity: The bill directs the Attorney General to increase the number of immigration judges by at least 500 and provides for corresponding support staff (Section 303). This could help process cases more efficiently.
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Protection of Minors in Detention: The bill mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security ensure family residential facilities are secure and provide suitable living accommodations, including access to food, water, and medical assistance (Section 301).
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Increased Substance Abuse Funding: The act increases the amount of money available for block grants intended for the prevention and treatment of substance abuse (Section 401).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Loss of Federal Funding for Local Governments: States or local governments that are found to violate immigration laws or restrict compliance with federal detainers may be deemed ineligible for federal financial assistance (Section 201).
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Changes to Detention Standards for Minors: The bill allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to determine the conditions of detention for certain alien minors at their sole discretion, and these determinations are not subject to judicial review (Section 301).
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Stricter Asylum Standards: The bill modifies the "credible fear" standard and limits the types of relief available to certain aliens, which could impact those seeking asylum (Section 302).
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Elimination of Existing Federal Programs: Several existing programs, including the Drug-Free Communities Support Program, Community Mental Health Services Block Grants, and certain prevention and jail diversion grants, are repealed by this act (Section 402).
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New Fees for Refugee Applications: The bill allows for the collection of fees for processing refugee applications at designated centers, which are intended to deter frivolous applications and cover processing costs (Section 304).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Immigrants-6Good For Hispanic Americans-5Good For Children-3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+4Improves Due Process-6Increase States Rights-5
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending-3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Increases Foreign Aid-2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Border Security+5Improves Pathway To Citizenship-4
- Healthcare
- Improves Opioid Crisis Response+5Improves Mental Health Access-5
- 3/18/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/6/2025
- Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security, Oversight and Government Reform, Energy and Commerce, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Ben ClineRepublican · Virginia
Byron DonaldsRepublican · Florida
Doug LaMalfaRepublican · California
Mary MillerRepublican · Illinois
Barry MooreRepublican · Alabama
Daniel WebsterRepublican · Florida