Bill Summary
The "Combatting International Drug Trafficking and Human Smuggling Partnership Act of 2022" is a bill that aims to improve the operations of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in foreign countries. It authorizes CBP employees and other designated customs officers to provide support to authorities of foreign governments, including conducting joint operations, in order to combat illegal drugs, illicit trafficking of people and goods, terrorist threats, and other threats to the security and economy of the United States. This support includes air and marine assistance for monitoring, tracking, and deterring these activities, as well as for emergency humanitarian efforts and law enforcement capacity-building efforts. The bill also allows for the use of appropriated funds to pay for any tort claims that may arise against CBP in connection with their operations in foreign countries. This bill also makes a conforming amendment to the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to specify that CBP is authorized to provide support to foreign authorities.
Possible Impacts
1. Increased surveillance and monitoring by US Customs and Border Protection in foreign countries, potentially leading to privacy concerns for individuals living in or traveling to those countries.
2. Possible tension or conflict between US customs officers and foreign authorities, particularly if there is disagreement over the actions or methods used to combat drug trafficking and human smuggling.
3. Financial liability for the US government and potential compensation for individuals affected by actions taken by US Customs and Border Protection in foreign countries.
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9167 Introduced in House (IH)]
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117th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9167
To provide for operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in
foreign countries, and for other purposes.
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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 11, 2022
Mr. Guest (for himself and Mr. McCaul) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
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A BILL
To provide for operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in
foreign 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 ``Combatting International Drug
Trafficking and Human Smuggling Partnership Act of 2022''.
SEC. 2. ENHANCING THE OPERATIONS OF U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION
IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
(a) Operations in Foreign Countries and Support to Foreign
Authorities.--
(1) In general.--The Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1304 et
seq.) is amended by inserting after section 629 the following
new section:
``SEC. 629A. OPERATIONS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND SUPPORT TO FOREIGN
AUTHORITIES.
``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
employees of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other customs
officers designated in accordance with section 401(i) may provide the
support described in subsection (b) to authorities of the government of
a foreign country, including by conducting joint operations with
appropriate law enforcement officials within the territory of that
country, if an arrangement has been entered into between the Government
of the United States and the government of that country under which the
provision of such support by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and
such other customs officers is permitted.
``(b) Support Described.--Support described in this subsection is
air and marine support for--
``(1) the monitoring, locating, tracking, and deterrence
of--
``(A) illegal drugs to the United States;
``(B) the illicit traffic of persons and goods into
the United States;
``(C) terrorist threats to the United States; and
``(D) other threats to the security or economy of
the United States;
``(2) emergency humanitarian efforts; and
``(3) law enforcement capacity-building efforts.
``(c) Payment of Claims Against U.S. Customs and Border Protection
for Actions in Foreign Countries.--The Secretary of Homeland Security
may use funds appropriated or otherwise available to U.S. Customs and
Border Protection for operations and support to pay tort claims, in the
manner authorized in the first paragraph of section 2672 of title 28,
United States Code, when such claims arise in foreign countries in
connection with U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations abroad''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--Section 411(f) of the Homeland
Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 211(f)) is amended--
(A) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph
(5); and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
``(4) Permissible activities.--U.S. Customs and Border
Protection may provide support to authorities of the government
of a foreign country, including by conducting joint operations,
with appropriate officials within the territory of that country
in accordance with section 629A of the Tariff Act of 1930.''.
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