HR 4071119th CongressIn Committee

Combatting International Drug Trafficking and Human Smuggling Partnership Act of 2025

Introduced: Jun 23, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3] (R-Mississippi)

Defense & National SecurityImmigration

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Combatting International Drug Trafficking and Human Smuggling Partnership Act of 2025 would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to expand U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) activities abroad. Specifically, it authorizes CBP officers (designated with Air and Marine Operations authorities) to provide support to foreign governments through joint operations and other arrangements, in areas such as monitoring and deterring illegal drugs, human and goods smuggling, terrorist threats, and other threats to U.S. security or economy. The bill also includes provisions to allow the Secretary to pay certain claims for money damages against the United States arising from CBP foreign operations, subject to deadlines and reporting requirements, with the new authority set to sunset five years after enactment. The support activities also cover emergency humanitarian efforts (e.g., search and rescue, medical assistance, air traffic control support) and capacity-building for foreign law enforcement.

Key Points

1Permissible activities abroad: CBP officers with Air and Marine Operations authority may assist foreign governments, including conducting joint operations, when there is an agreement allowing such support.
2Scope of support: Monitoring, locating, tracking, and deterring illicit drug trafficking, illicit smuggling of people and goods, terrorist threats, and other threats to the United States’ security or economy; emergency humanitarian efforts; and law enforcement capacity-building.
3Legal arrangement prerequisite: Such foreign-support activities require an arrangement between the U.S. government and the foreign country's government permitting the support.
4Payment of claims: The Secretary may spend appropriated funds to pay money damages claims against the United States arising from CBP operations abroad, consistent with 28 U.S.C. 2672, with deadlines for filing claims and a required annual/periodic report.
5Reporting and sunset: Claims allowed must be submitted within two years of the incident; the Secretary must report to congressional committees within 90 days after the expenditure authority expires; the expenditure authority ends five years after enactment (sunset).

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: U.S. CBP personnel and operations abroad; foreign government partners and host country authorities; U.S. taxpayers who may bear liability through paid claims.Secondary group/area affected: Individuals or entities that may be the recipients of humanitarian aid or capacity-building efforts; potential claimants arising from incidents connected to CBP operations abroad.Additional impacts:- International relations and sovereignty considerations due to increased U.S. law enforcement activities on foreign soil under arrangements with foreign governments.- Budget and liability implications for the U.S. government, given the authority to pay claims and the sunset provision that requires periodic re-evaluation.- Oversight and accountability requirements, including the need for timely reporting to Congress about payments made and the countries involved.

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