Stop the Cartels Act
Sponsored By: Representative Davidson
In Committee
Summary
Strengthen U.S. tools against transnational drug and human trafficking networks. This bill would require new, frequent intelligence reporting, create a new designation for cross‑border criminal groups, change asylum and detention rules, and reconfigure some behavioral health funding.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 4 costs, 2 mixed.
New designations for transnational criminal groups
This bill would let the government name certain foreign criminal groups as Special Transnational Criminal Organizations. After a 7‑day notice to Congress and later public listing, Treasury could tell U.S. banks to block the group’s assets. People in criminal cases or immigration removal could not challenge the designation itself. The bill directs the designation of the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
More funding for addiction treatment grants
This bill would raise the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant to about $3.96 billion each year. The higher amount would apply for fiscal years 2025 through 2029. States and providers could have more money for prevention and treatment services.
Expanded family detention and faster cases
This bill would let DHS detain accompanied minors (and family units) who are inadmissible or removable while their cases finish. The Attorney General would aim to finish those cases in 100 days. Detention and release would be decided only under immigration law and policy, not court decrees or settlements. Courts could not review the Secretary’s choices about detention conditions, and states could not require licenses for family detention centers. DHS would have to provide safe housing, food, and timely medical and mental health care.
Stricter asylum and credible-fear rules
This bill would raise the “credible fear” bar. An asylum officer would need to find it is more likely than not you could win asylum and that your statements are likely true. People already barred from asylum could not get a credible-fear finding. If you pass screening, you would go to a limited immigration judge review focused on asylum, withholding, or CAT, not a full section 240 hearing. People with only a reasonable-fear finding would generally be limited to withholding or CAT and no other relief. New asylum bars would include certain felonies, many 212(a) inadmissibility grounds, prior removals, and some nationalities tied to new regional processing centers, with an exception if you were in the U.S. on the enactment date.
Cut federal aid to noncompliant areas
DHS could label a state or local government as ineligible if it breaks certain immigration laws, blocks detainers, or violates 8 U.S.C. 1373. The Secretary would make these calls within one year and then each year. If labeled ineligible, the area would lose federal financial assistance in the next fiscal year. That loss could reduce local services residents rely on.
More immigration judges and court staff
This bill would add at least 500 immigration judges, plus support staff. ICE would hire more attorneys and staff to match the workload. Funds could be used to lease or build facilities and buy video and e‑filing equipment, and to move federal temporary housing units to serve as nearby facilities. More capacity could speed decisions, including grants and removals.
Ends several behavioral health grants
This bill would repeal multiple behavioral health and substance use grant programs. The Community Mental Health Services Block Grant and the Drug‑Free Communities program would end, among others. Project AWARE and the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics Expansion Grants would stop by the end of fiscal year 2025, with no successor programs. States and local providers could lose these funding streams.
New overseas refugee centers with fees
This bill would set up refugee application centers outside the U.S. One center would be in Mexico and at least three in Central America, designated within 240 days. People from a country with a center, or a neighboring country, could apply there to an asylum officer. NGO-referred cases would get priority and a 90‑day decision target. Admissions would still count against the annual refugee cap, and the government could charge fees to deter frivolous claims and cover processing. These authorities would end three years and 240 days after enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Davidson
OH • R
Cosponsors
Cline
VA • R
Sponsored 3/6/2025
Miller (IL)
IL • R
Sponsored 3/6/2025
LaMalfa
CA • R
Sponsored 3/6/2025
Webster (FL)
FL • R
Sponsored 3/6/2025
Moore (AL)
AL • R
Sponsored 3/6/2025
Donalds
FL • R
Sponsored 3/18/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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