Enhancing Southbound Inspections to Combat Cartels Act | ChamberLight

IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS

House BillHR 6907Crime and Law Enforcement

Enhancing Southbound Inspections to Combat Cartels Act

INTRO DEC 18· LAST ACTION DEC 19

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Reported

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Passed Senate

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Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because it addresses a critical aspect of border security often overlooked: the flow of illegal goods *out* of the United States. Currently, drug cartels and other criminal organizations frequently smuggle firearms, ammunition, and large amounts of cash from the U.S. into Mexico, fueling violence and instability in the region. These resources are essential for their operations, including drug production and human trafficking.

If this bill becomes law, it could make it significantly harder for cartels to acquire these vital resources, potentially weakening their operations and reducing the availability of illegal weapons in Mexico. If it doesn't pass, the outbound smuggling of guns and cash would likely continue at current rates, continuing to empower cartels and contribute to violence both south of the border and indirectly impacting communities within the U.S. that are affected by cartel activities.

KEY PROVISIONS

5AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Authorizes the purchase and deployment of up to 50 new non-intrusive imaging systems and supporting infrastructure for southbound inspections at the U.S.-Mexico border.

This provision equips border agents with advanced technology to quickly scan vehicles and detect illegal items being smuggled into Mexico.

PROVISION 02

Requires the hiring of 200 new Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents, with 100 specifically tasked with investigating currency and firearms smuggling into Mexico.

This significantly boosts law enforcement's capacity to investigate and disrupt the illicit flow of money and weapons that empower cartels.

PROVISION 03

Establishes a minimum requirement that, by March 30, 2027, at least 10% of all conveyances traveling from the U.S. to Mexico must be inspected.

This sets a clear, measurable goal for increasing outbound inspections, ensuring a more consistent effort to detect smuggling.

PROVISION 04

Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a report within one year on resources for outbound and inbound inspections and an assessment of Mexico's inbound inspection capabilities.

This provision ensures transparency and provides Congress with crucial data to evaluate current border security efforts and identify areas for improvement.

PROVISION 05

Mandates quarterly reports for four years on seizures of currency, firearms, and ammunition trafficked out of the United States.

These regular reports will provide ongoing data to track the effectiveness of enhanced southbound inspections and identify trends in smuggling activities.

SPONSORSHIP

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COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%

DEM 0 REP 1 IND 0

ACTION TIMELINE

6 EVENTS

DEC 19

Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.

COMMITTEE

DEC 19

Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.

COMMITTEE

DEC 18

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

DEC 18

Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, 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 concerned.

INTROREFERRAL

BILL INFO

TypeHouse Bill

NumberHR 6907

Congress119th

StatusIn Committee

IntroducedDec 18, 2025

Last actionDec 19, 2025

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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED DEC 18, 2025

House BillHR 6907Crime and Law Enforcement

Enhancing Southbound Inspections to Combat Cartels Act

INTRODUCED DEC 18, 2025· LAST ACTION DEC 19, 2025

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

6 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps Congress.gov

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Authorizes the purchase and deployment of up to 50 new non-intrusive imaging systems and supporting infrastructure for southbound inspections at the U.S.-Mexico border.

This provision equips border agents with advanced technology to quickly scan vehicles and detect illegal items being smuggled into Mexico.

high

Requires the hiring of 200 new Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents, with 100 specifically tasked with investigating currency and firearms smuggling into Mexico.

This significantly boosts law enforcement's capacity to investigate and disrupt the illicit flow of money and weapons that empower cartels.

med

Establishes a minimum requirement that, by March 30, 2027, at least 10% of all conveyances traveling from the U.S. to Mexico must be inspected.

This sets a clear, measurable goal for increasing outbound inspections, ensuring a more consistent effort to detect smuggling.

med

Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a report within one year on resources for outbound and inbound inspections and an assessment of Mexico's inbound inspection capabilities.

This provision ensures transparency and provides Congress with crucial data to evaluate current border security efforts and identify areas for improvement.

med

Mandates quarterly reports for four years on seizures of currency, firearms, and ammunition trafficked out of the United States.

These regular reports will provide ongoing data to track the effectiveness of enhanced southbound inspections and identify trends in smuggling activities.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

5 years after the date of enactment

Sunset of authorization for additional inspection equipment and infrastructure.

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment

Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a report on resources for inspections.

Not later than March 30, 2027

Secretary of Homeland Security to ensure not fewer than 10% of southbound conveyances are inspected.

Not later than March 30, 2028

Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a report on increasing inspection rates to 15% and 20%.

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment

Commissioner for U.S. Customs and Border Protection to submit initial quarterly report on currency and firearms seizures.

Every 90 days thereafter until 4 years after the date of enactment

Commissioner for U.S. Customs and Border Protection to submit subsequent quarterly reports on currency and firearms seizures.

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Non-intrusive imaging systems: Technology, similar to X-ray machines, used to scan the contents of vehicles and cargo without physically opening or damaging them.
Conveyances: Any type of vehicle or mode of transportation, such as cars, trucks, buses, or trains.
Southbound inspections: Checks or screenings conducted by border authorities on people, vehicles, and goods traveling from the United States into Mexico.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents: Federal law enforcement officers within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) who investigate a wide range of transnational crimes, including smuggling, human trafficking, and drug trafficking.
Appropriate congressional committees: Specific committees in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives that have jurisdiction over the topics covered by this bill, such as Appropriations, Homeland Security, and Judiciary committees.
Ports of entry: Official locations at the border where people and goods can legally enter or exit a country and undergo inspection by customs and immigration authorities.
Sunset

ACTION TIMELINE

6 EVENTS

DEC 19, 25

Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.

COMMITTEE

DEC 19, 25

Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.

COMMITTEE

DEC 18, 25

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

DEC 18, 25

INTROREFERRAL

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Enhancing Southbound Inspections to Combat Cartels Act

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WHAT THE BILL DOES

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Enhancing Southbound Inspections to Combat Cartels Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

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