H.R.1079 - Cartel And Radical Terrorist Enforcement Log Act of 2025; CARTEL Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 1079, the CARTEL Act of 2025, mandates the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to publicize operational statistics monthly. This includes data on alien encounters, nationalities, gang affiliations, drug seizures, and individuals on the terrorist screening database. The bill also requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit an annual report to Congress on foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations attempting to enter the U.S.
Expected Effects
The bill aims to increase transparency and inform Congress and the public about border security and potential threats. It will likely lead to increased scrutiny of CBP operations and potentially influence policy decisions related to border control and national security. The increased transparency could also lead to public debate and potentially influence public opinion on immigration and border security issues.
Potential Benefits
- Increased Transparency: Public access to CBP data allows for greater oversight and accountability.
- Informed Policymaking: Regular reports to Congress provide valuable information for legislative decisions related to border security.
- Enhanced Public Awareness: Publicizing data on terrorist and criminal threats can raise public awareness and support for security measures.
- Improved Resource Allocation: Data-driven insights can help CBP allocate resources more effectively.
- Deterrence: Increased transparency may deter illegal activities at the border.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for Misinterpretation: Raw data may be misinterpreted or used to promote biased narratives.
- Privacy Concerns: Publicizing certain data could potentially compromise the privacy of individuals.
- Administrative Burden: Monthly reporting requirements may place a significant burden on CBP resources.
- Potential for Political Manipulation: The data could be selectively used for political purposes.
- Strained International Relations: Reporting nationalities of those encountered may strain relations with certain countries.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution's broad goals of providing for the common defense and ensuring domestic tranquility, as stated in the Preamble. Congress's power to legislate on matters related to immigration and border security falls under its enumerated powers, particularly Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and to establish a uniform rule of naturalization. The reporting requirements do not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).