Bill Overview
Title: Declaring War on the Cartels Act of 2022
Description: 2022 This bill enhances the term of federal imprisonment for members of certain transnational criminal cartels (i.e., Mexican cartels) who are repeat offenders. It also establishes penalties for U.S. banks and foreign governments that support or otherwise have dealings with these cartels. Specifically, cartel members are subject to an additional 10 to 20 years imprisonment if they are convicted of certain federal crimes (e.g., crimes of violence, fraud, or sexual exploitation) and have been previously convicted of similar crimes (including at the state or local level) within the last five years. Any U.S. national who is convicted as an accessory to such crimes is also subject to up to 15 years of additional imprisonment. The bill also prohibits cartel members from using U.S. banks to conduct business and subjects any related assets to federal seizure. Banks that intentionally do business with cartel members are subject to civil penalties. Additionally, the bill (1) bars noncitizen cartel members and their immediate family from admission into the United States, (2) authorizes sanctions against foreign governments and persons (individuals or entities) that support cartel activity, and (3) requires certain federal agencies to work with foreign governments on combatting cartels. The bill applies to members of the following cartels: The Sinaloa Cartel, The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, The Beltran-Leyva Cartel, The Gulf Cartel, The Los Zetas Cartel, The Tijuana Cartel, and The La Familia Michoacána/Knights Templar Cartel.
Sponsors: Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2]
Target Audience
Population: People involved with or impacted by Mexican transnational criminal cartels
Estimated Size: 1000000
- The primary targeted population is individuals involved with the specified transnational criminal cartels, predominantly located in Mexico and other regions where these cartels operate.
- The bill targets individuals who are repeat offenders in federal crimes related to violence, fraud, or sexual exploitation.
- U.S. nationals who act as accessories to these crimes would also be impacted, facing significant additional imprisonment.
- The legislation includes measures affecting foreign nationals, including preventing admission into the U.S. for noncitizen cartel members and their families.
- Financial sectors, specifically U.S. banks, are targeted through prohibitions and penalties if found dealing with cartel members.
- The bill includes international ramifications, potentially impacting foreign governments that support cartel activities through sanctions.
- Cartel activities have broad implications, affecting communities both within the borders of their operations and in areas they expand into, such as the United States.
Reasoning
- The primary aim is to deter involvement with Mexican transnational criminal cartels by enforcing stringent penalties.
- The policy will predominantly affect those involved in illegal activities associated with these cartels, either directly or indirectly.
- It could have a chilling effect on U.S. banks that might unknowingly engage with these organizations and on U.S. nationals who are accessories to cartel crimes.
- The bill's focus extends to foreign nationals, impacting relations with foreign governments linked to cartel activities.
- Given the budgetary constraints, the policy seeks to prioritize enforcement and incarceration resources efficiently.
- A portion of the U.S. population, particularly in regions heavily affected by drug trafficking and related crimes, will perceive the bill as crucial in curbing criminal activities.
- However, for U.S. citizens not involved in these activities, the policy would have negligible impact on their daily lives.
Simulated Interviews
Banker (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support the idea of imposing penalties on banks dealing with cartel members. It's about time we put a stop to money laundering through our financial system.
- However, we need clear guidelines and support to avoid inadvertent penalties.
- If handled right, it might make my job a bit easier because we’d have stronger systems to identify illicit transactions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Border Patrol Officer (San Diego, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill is crucial for our safety and national security. We've been tackling these issues for years.
- However, we need more resources and personnel to handle the increase in detentions effectively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Logistics Manager (Houston, TX)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm positive about the clampdown on illegal activities, but the financial sector's blanket penalties could hit legitimate businesses.
- We need to ensure that only guilty parties are punished, not innocent companies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Public Policy Researcher (Albuquerque, NM)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is a step in the right direction, though it must be executed carefully to avoid diplomatic fallout.
- Research indicates these measures could enforce stronger Americas cooperation against crime.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Defense Attorney (Miami, FL)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The bill may flood the courts with cases. Defendants need proper representation, or justice will be compromised.
- This could lead to higher costs and longer processing times in the judicial system.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
College Student (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned that increased criminal penalties could disproportionately affect minorities and worsen systemic inequalities.
- While the policy aims to improve safety, it must also consider social ramifications.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Local Business Owner (El Paso, TX)
Age: 53 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our community has suffered from crime fueled by drugs from the cartels. This policy could deter those cross-border criminal activities.
- We still need more local initiatives, but this is a good start.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
International Relations Consultant (New York, NY)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The international aspect of this policy could strain relationships, impacting trade and collaboration if not carefully managed.
- However, reducing cartel power is paramount to regional stability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
School Teacher (San Antonio, TX)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The reality of drugs in schools is harsh; we need every tool available like this bill to prevent it.
- But we also need educational and rehabilitation programs to support affected students.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Social Worker (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We've seen addiction tear families apart. Tougher laws might reduce supply, but we need more support systems.
- Community resources are crucial alongside legal penalties.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $80000000)
Year 2: $55000000 (Low: $32000000, High: $85000000)
Year 3: $60000000 (Low: $35000000, High: $90000000)
Year 5: $75000000 (Low: $55000000, High: $100000000)
Year 10: $90000000 (Low: $65000000, High: $120000000)
Year 100: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Key Considerations
- The actual impact on drug trafficking and cartel activities may depend on enforcement effectiveness and international cooperation.
- The cost estimates are highly sensitive to the volume of enforced actions, prosecutions, and international support.
- Effects on diplomatic relations and trade due to sanctions could have broader economic implications beyond the estimated direct costs.