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FOX FIRST: A Republican congressman whose district covers parts of the southern border is introducing a bill that would take him one step closer to recognizing Tren de Aragua (TdA) and the Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
Congressman Tony Gonzalez (R-Texas) is introducing the Security First Act, which would require the Secretary of State to consider designating the Mexican drug cartels and TdA as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).
The FTO designation allows for targeted action against members, including financial penalties. It is illegal for anyone to provide support or resources to an FTO, and financial institutions must report those funds to the Treasury Department. The designation also supports efforts to deter donations and curb fundraising, the State Department said.
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Rep. Tony Gonzalez (R-Texas) is seen outside the U.S. Capitol as the House of Representatives votes to pass the bipartisan Safer Communities Act on Friday, June 24, 2022. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images)
Gonzalez’s bill would also increase funding for Operation Stonegarden, a federal grant that provides resources to state and local law enforcement agencies for border security. It would also require a report on the technology needed at the border to deter terrorists from entering the United States, and another report on Customs and Border Protection’s hiring practices.
The crisis on the southern border has sharply increased the presence of TdA, a gang believed to have originated in Venezuelan prisons and moved north. Border officials told Fox last year that they view gangs as a top priority because their presence is felt in states such as Texas, Colorado and New York.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced in September that he would declare the TdA an FTO and create a database to determine if those arrested were TdA members. Gonzalez now wants to see more action from the incoming administration against bloodthirsty gangs.
“It’s time to call them what they are. They are a terrorist organization and they are terrorizing our communities,” he said. “We’re grateful that President Trump is joining us. It’s time for us to not only take off the gloves, but to put our teeth into this bill. That’s how we throw the book at these guys.”
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Torren de Aragua member arrested in Texas. (Fox News)
Although the bill itself does not declare TdA an FTO and would require consideration by the Secretary of State, Gonzalez said he is confident it is consistent with the administration’s thinking.
“Those of us who live along the border don’t need a commission to say we’re being terrorized, and some people do, but I have great confidence in this administration and Trump’s approach. “If we handled things and talked about it, would they follow that path?” he said.
Pam Bondi, President Trump’s nominee for head of the Department of Justice, said during her confirmation hearing this week that she supports designating Mexican cartels as FTOs.
“I’ve personally been to Mexico. I personally dealt with these cartels when I was a state prosecutor, and they are a serious and violent threat to our country,” she said.
Gonzalez also emphasized that the gang threat is not just a border issue.
For more information on the border security crisis, click here
“They’re not just staying in Texas. What I suspect is that the TDA is in all 50 states. So this is not a border issue. This is an American issue.” spoke. “And how do you remove the TDA from all 50 states? You label them as a terrorist organization and unleash law enforcement to track them down and take them down.”
Mr. Gonzalez has a track record of bipartisanship on border security, often sponsoring bills that attract support from Democrats. He said he expects the bill to have a similar effect, given the changing temperature on immigration among some Democrats who have recently voiced support for bills such as the Laken-Riley Act. Ta.
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“I think we’re going to see that change,” Gonzalez said. “As we’ve seen with House Democrats and the Democratic Party as a whole, they’ve lost the Senate, they’ve lost the House, they’ve lost the White House, and a big part of that is because of their position on the border and border security.”
The bill already has support from sheriff’s groups in the area.
“The Security First Act not only strengthens the capabilities and effectiveness of Operation Stonegarden, but also designates cartels as terrorist organizations and uses new, cutting-edge technology to protect the border from difficult-to-reach southern border regions. “We support this bill,” said former sheriff and executive director of the Southwest Border Sheriffs Coalition and the Texas Border Sheriffs Coalition. said one Clint McDonald. said in a statement.
Adam Shaw is a political reporter for Fox News Digital, primarily covering immigration and border security.
Contact him at adam.shaw2@fox.com or at: Twitter.
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