Enhancing Southbound Inspections to Combat Cartels Act
Sponsored By: Senator Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
Introduced
Summary
Expand southbound inspections at the U.S.-Mexico land border. This bill would require minimum inspection rates for conveyances leaving the United States and authorize new equipment and personnel to detect currency, firearms, drugs, and human trafficking.
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- Travelers and commercial carriers: The bill would set a mandatory baseline of inspections at not fewer than 10% of all conveyances traveling to Mexico by March 30, 2027, and it directs DHS to study timelines and resources to raise that rate to 15% and 20%.
- Border agencies and law enforcement: U.S. Customs and Border Protection could buy up to 50 additional non-intrusive imaging systems and related infrastructure, with that procurement authority expiring five years after enactment. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement would hire at least 100 HSI special agents focused on currency and firearms investigations and at least 100 more for contraband, human trafficking, drug smuggling, and unauthorized entry, plus needed support staff.
- Oversight and reporting: DHS must deliver a comprehensive report within one year on resources, inspection cadence, and capacity estimates, and CBP must submit quarterly currency and firearms seizure reports every 90 days for four years.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Minimum southbound inspections for vehicles
If enacted, the Secretary of Homeland Security would be required, as practicable, to inspect at least 10 percent of all conveyances and other transportation traveling from the United States to Mexico by March 30, 2027. Inspections may use non-intrusive imaging, physical officer checks, canine units, or other authorized methods. By March 30, 2028, DHS would have to report on what it would take to raise inspection rates to 15 percent and 20 percent.
More ICE agents to fight smuggling
If enacted, the Director of ICE would hire and train at least 200 new Homeland Security Investigations special agents. One group of 100 agents would focus mainly on currency and firearms smuggling to Mexico. Another group of 100 agents would focus on contraband, human trafficking (including children), drug smuggling, and unauthorized entry. ICE could also hire support staff as needed to assist these agents.
New imaging systems for southbound checks
If enacted, U.S. Customs and Border Protection could buy up to 50 non-intrusive imaging systems. The systems would be used mainly to inspect people and vehicles leaving the United States for Mexico. CBP could also buy other inspection infrastructure the Commissioner deems necessary. The procurement authority for these purchases would end five years after enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
NH • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]
OK • R
Sponsored 3/26/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov