New law targets Mexican cartels spying on border agents

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Sen. Joni Ernst and Rep. Juan Ciscomani introduced groundbreaking legislation Thursday targeting Mexican cartels’ surveillance operations against border patrol agents, marking a significant step in border security efforts.

The Transnational Criminal Organization Illicit Spotter Prevention and Elimination Act, backed by Senators Ted Budd, John Barrasso, and James Lankford, aims to address a critical gap in current law enforcement capabilities. At present, no specific legislation exists to combat cartel spotters operating along the southern border, who have even installed communication devices on border cell towers to evade detection.

Time to crack down on the cartels’ surveillance operations with legislation that holds them accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

I am PROUD to introduce this bill in the HOUSE. Let’s get this passed and ready for President Trump’s desk!https://t.co/LpBGqdzuiz

— Juan Ciscomani (@JuanCiscomani) January 9, 2025

“I’m putting cartels on notice – the era of open borders is over,” Ernst said in a written statement to Breitbart News. “Republicans are restoring law and order and securing the homeland by giving border patrol the tools they need to do their job and creating real consequences for criminals. We are going to protect Americans.”

“Drug cartels and other bad actors have developed increasingly sophisticated efforts to evade Customs and Border Protection agents and local law enforcement officers,” Ciscomani told Breitbart News in a written statement.

The proposed legislation outlines three key prohibitions: transmitting information about law enforcement movements during federal immigration crimes, damaging government border control devices, and using firearms during alien smuggling operations.

The timing of this legislation is particularly crucial, as cartel spotters continue to facilitate drug trafficking operations, including the distribution of fentanyl, which remains the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 45.

Heard from local leaders about the threat posed by cartels recruiting our youth through social media to traffic drugs & people through our communities.

Last week w/ my colleagues, I introduced bipartisan legislation to combat cartel activity on social media platforms ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/jLoBUBJVl7

— Congressman Juan Ciscomani (@RepCiscomani) April 6, 2023

Following the Republican success in the 2024 elections and Donald Trump’s return to office, the party has intensified its focus on illegal immigration and cartel activities. This legislative push aligns with other recent initiatives, including the House Republicans’ passage of the Laken Riley Act, which mandates DHS custody for illegal aliens involved in various property crimes.

“One aspect I hear often from frontline agents in Arizona is the urgent need to go after ‘spotters’ who help Transnational Criminal Organizations avoid law enforcement by surveilling portions of the border and communicating their positions. This bill, which I am proud to lead in the House, would increase punishments on spotters and sends a powerful message to anyone who is aiding or abetting cartel operations along the southern border that they will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” Ciscomani concluded in his statement.