Sinema-led cartel social media bill approved by Homeland Security committee

(The Center Square) – The U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs approved subcommittee chair Kyrsten Sinema, I-AZ, and Senator James Lankford, R-OK’s Combating Cartels on Social Media Act on June 14.

The bipartisan legislation establishes a national strategy to combat cartel recruitment while educating at-risk youth about the dangers of becoming involved with smuggling.

“We are pleased to see steps taken to address cartels’ use of social media to recruit load car drivers to transport migrants north from near the U.S.-Mexico Border,” Sierra Vista Mayor Clea McCaa said. “These load car drivers are encouraged to drive recklessly through southern Arizona communities, showing little regard for the potentially deadly consequences of their actions.”

The bill, if passed, would also require the Department of Homeland Security to additionally monitor cartel usage of social media.

“Cartels lure Arizona teenagers through social media into dangerous and illegal activities with the promise of easy cash, putting Arizonans’ lives at serious risk,” Sinema said.

- Advertisement -

The bill was also backed by Senator Mark Kelly, D-Ariz.; Senator Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn.; Senator Jon Tester, D-Mont. and Senator Thom Tillis, R-N.C.

“Up to 44 percent of all those arrested and booked into our jail have a border crime nexus,” said Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels. “Every day, my deputies work to keep our communities safe from load drivers recruited by cartels on social media. The Combating Cartels on Social Media Act will help crack down on this recruitment, making Cochise County roads safer.”

Lankford argued that social media companies allow for smugglers to buy ads and post how to cross illegally, despite their terms of service stating illegal behavior will be deplatformed.

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

Fiscal hawks: House budget plan could add $25 trillion in debt over next decade

House leaders have praised their early work on crafting...

The Hydrocodone Hyperbole: The Best Drug For Pain Isn’t Always An Opioid

Even though opioids are highly addictive, they continue to...

Cornell evaluating Trump’s DEI executive order, NYU has no comment

(The Center Square) – Cornell University is evaluating President...

Illinois one of the leaders in generating tax revenue from sports gambling

(The Center Square) – Illinois is one of several...

Feds, some lawmakers tackle post-Madigan efforts to curb public corruption

Federal authorities and state lawmakers say they will keep...

Man pleads guilty to $1.5 million in SNAP fraud

(The Center Square) – An Illinois man pleaded guilty...

Illinois lawmakers zoom in on budget ahead of governor’s address

(The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers have differing budget...

Inflation hits Illinois consumers hard, especially in Chicago area

(The Center Square) – According to a new report,...

More like this
Related

Fiscal hawks: House budget plan could add $25 trillion in debt over next decade

House leaders have praised their early work on crafting...

The Hydrocodone Hyperbole: The Best Drug For Pain Isn’t Always An Opioid

Even though opioids are highly addictive, they continue to...

Cornell evaluating Trump’s DEI executive order, NYU has no comment

(The Center Square) – Cornell University is evaluating President...

Illinois one of the leaders in generating tax revenue from sports gambling

(The Center Square) – Illinois is one of several...