118 HR 4574 IH: Cooperation on Combatting Human Smuggling and Trafficking Act U.S. House of Representatives 2023-07-12 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I118th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 4574IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 12, 2023Mr. Correa (for himself and Mr. Higgins of Louisiana) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, and the Judiciary, 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 concernedA BILLTo direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to enhance border security by seeking to expand partnerships with appropriate law enforcement entities in Mexico and Central American and South American countries to combat human smuggling and trafficking operations in Mexico and such countries, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Cooperation on Combatting Human Smuggling and Trafficking Act.

2.

DHS partnerships to combat human smuggling and trafficking

(a)

In General

The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with appropriate Federal partners, shall enhance border security by seeking to expand partnerships with appropriate law enforcement entities in Mexico and Central American and South American countries to combat human smuggling and trafficking operations in Mexico and such countries, including through the following:(1)The establishment or expansion of cross-border transnational criminal investigative units to identify, disrupt, and support the prosecution of human smuggling and trafficking operations.(2)Enhanced participation in the Bilateral Human Trafficking Enforcement Initiative or successor initiative.(3)Advanced training for certain investigators and prosecutors from Mexico and such countries.(b)

Investigation and Prosecution of Human Smuggling and Trafficking

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall seek to expand collaborative programs involving Homeland Security Investigations that are aimed at supporting the investigation and prosecution of human smugglers and traffickers targeting children and families that pose border security threats and operate at the southern land border of the United States, including the continuation and expansion of anti-trafficking coordination teams.(c)

Information Campaign to Deter Migration

(1)

In general

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall carry out targeted public information campaigns to inform targeted migrant populations within Mexico, Central America, South America, and certain other countries with high migration rates regarding the dangers of travel across Mexico to the United States. Such campaigns shall combat misinformation and disinformation by transnational criminal organizations and other nefarious actors regarding United States laws or policies.(2)

Specifications

The information campaigns implemented pursuant to paragraph (1) shall, to the greatest extent possible—(A)be targeted at populations and localities with high migration rates;(B)employ a variety of communications media; and(C)be developed in consultation with appropriate program officials of the Department of State and, as appropriate, Mexican, Central American, South American, and other appropriate foreign governments, nonprofit or academic entities, and representatives acting on behalf of targeted migrant populations, including repatriated migrants.