[Congressional Bills 118th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 5315 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 5315 To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to enhance border security by seeking to expand partnerships with appropriate law enforcement entities in Mexico and Central American and South American countries to combat human smuggling and trafficking operations in Mexico and such countries, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 14, 2024 Mr. Peters introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to enhance border security by seeking to expand partnerships with appropriate law enforcement entities in Mexico and Central American and South American countries to combat human smuggling and trafficking operations in Mexico and such countries, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Cooperation on Combating Human Smuggling and Trafficking Act''. SEC. 2. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY PARTNERSHIPS TO COMBAT HUMAN SMUGGLING AND TRAFFICKING. (a) In General.--The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with appropriate Federal partners, shall enhance border security by seeking to expand partnerships with appropriate law enforcement entities in Mexico and Central American and South American countries to combat human smuggling and trafficking operations in Mexico and such countries, including by-- (1) establishing or expanding cross-border transnational criminal investigative units to identify, disrupt, and support the prosecution of human smuggling and trafficking operations; (2) enhancing participation in the Bilateral Human Trafficking Enforcement Initiative or a successor initiative; and (3) providing advanced training for certain investigators and prosecutors from Mexico and other Latin American countries. (b) Investigation and Prosecution of Human Smuggling and Trafficking.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall seek to expand collaborative programs involving Homeland Security Investigations that are aimed at supporting the investigation and prosecution of human smugglers and traffickers targeting children and families that pose border security threats and operate at the southern land border of the United States, including the continuation and expansion of anti- trafficking coordination teams. (c) Information Campaign To Deter Migration.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall carry out targeted public information campaigns-- (A) to inform targeted migrant populations within Mexico, Central America, South America, and certain other countries with high migration rates regarding the dangers of travel across Mexico to the United States; and (B) to combat misinformation and disinformation by transnational criminal organizations and other nefarious actors regarding United States laws or policies. (2) Specifications.--The information campaigns implemented pursuant to paragraph (1) shall, to the greatest extent possible-- (A) be targeted at populations and localities with high migration rates; (B) employ a variety of communications media; and (C) be developed in consultation with appropriate program officials of the Department of State and, as appropriate, Mexican, Central American, South American, and other appropriate foreign governments, nonprofit or academic entities, and representatives acting on behalf of targeted migrant populations, including repatriated migrants. <all>