Enhancing Southbound Inspections to Combat Cartels Act

Expanded southbound inspections and staffing

If enacted, the bill would let U.S. Customs and Border Protection buy up to 50 non-intrusive imaging systems and related infrastructure to inspect people and vehicles leaving the U.S. for Mexico. That purchasing authority would end five years after enactment. The bill would require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to hire at least 200 Homeland Security Investigations special agents (100 focused on currency and firearms, and 100 on contraband, trafficking, drugs, and unauthorized entry). By March 30, 2027, the bill would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to try to inspect at least 10% of conveyances and other transport leaving the United States for Mexico, using imaging, physical checks, canine units, or other authorized methods.