Designating Cartels and Other Organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists
Directs the State Department to designate Mexican drug cartels (including the Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco New Generation Cartel) and other transnational criminal organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Triggers enhanced enforcement, financial sanctions, and removal authorities. On February 20, 2025 the designations took effect, naming eight groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists: Tren de Aragua, Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), Cartel de Sinaloa, Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion, Carteles Unidos, Cartel del Noreste, Cartel del Golfo, and La Nueva Familia Michoacana.
Section by Section
What each section does, and how they differ.
Designates international cartels and transnational organizations as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) or specially designated global terrorists, citing their national security threat and destabilization of Western Hemisphere countries.
Makes it the policy to eliminate these organizations' presence in the U.S. and ability to threaten U.S. territory and safety through their command-and-control structures.
Directs State (within 14 days) to recommend cartel designations as FTOs or SDGTs, and directs DOJ and DHS to prepare operational implementation regarding the Alien Enemies Act.
Standard boilerplate: preserves existing agency authority, conditions the order on appropriations, and creates no enforceable private rights.