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119-s-50119th Congress

Transnational Criminal Organization Illicit Spotter Prevention and Elimination Act

Sponsored By: Senator Ernst, Joni [R-IA]

Introduced

Summary

Criminalizes ‘illicit spotting’ and attacks on border-control infrastructure. This bill would make it a federal crime to knowingly share the locations, movements, or activities of federal, state, local, or tribal law enforcement when done to further immigration, customs, controlled substance, agriculture, monetary, or other border-related crimes. It would also ban knowingly destroying, altering, or building structures intended to defeat fences, sensors, cameras, or other devices used to control the border or ports of entry.

Show full summary
  • Border communities and law enforcement would gain a legal tool aimed at protecting patrols and operations by outlawing the targeted disclosure of law enforcement positions. Violations of the spotting ban carry penalties of up to 10 years in prison.
  • Workers who damage or try to defeat border-control systems would face prison time for destruction or construction meant to evade devices. Penalties are up to 10 years and rise to up to 20 years if a firearm is used or carried during the offense.
  • People involved in smuggling and armed offenses would see expanded firearm rules and updated cross-references across criminal and immigration statutes, including new definitions for “alien smuggling crime,” “brandish,” and “crime of violence,” and conspiracy or attempt would be punished the same as completed violations.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

Broader federal gun penalties for smugglers

If enacted, this bill would change a federal gun-penalty rule to cover some alien-smuggling felonies. It would add definitions such as "alien smuggling crime" and "brandish." That could let prosecutors add gun-related charges tied to those smuggling offenses. This could increase criminal exposure for people who commit those offenses.

New federal crimes for border interference

If enacted, this bill would make it a federal crime to knowingly send law-enforcement locations to help certain federal border-related crimes. A conviction could bring a fine and up to 10 years in prison. It would also make it a crime to destroy, alter, or defeat federal border fences, sensors, cameras, or other devices. If a firearm is used or possessed to further the crime, jail time could be up to 20 years. Attempts and conspiracies would be punished the same as completed crimes.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Ernst, Joni [R-IA]

IA • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]

    WY • R

    Sponsored 1/16/2025

  • Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 1/16/2025

  • Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 1/16/2025

  • Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]

    MO • R

    Sponsored 1/22/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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