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[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2615 Engrossed in House (EH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2615

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT

 
 To support the people of Central America and strengthen United States 
 national security by addressing the root causes of migration from El 
                   Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``United States-
Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Report on drivers of migration from the Northern Triangle to 
                            the United States.
Sec. 3. Actions to promote inclusive economic growth and development in 
                            the Northern Triangle.
Sec. 4. Actions to combat corruption in the Northern Triangle.
Sec. 5. Actions to strengthen democratic institutions in the Northern 
                            Triangle.
Sec. 6. Actions to improve security conditions in the Northern 
                            Triangle.
Sec. 7. Authorization of appropriations for assistance to Central 
                            America.
Sec. 8. Conditions on assistance to the Northern Triangle.
Sec. 9. Enhancing engagement with the Government of Mexico on the 
                            Northern Triangle.
Sec. 10. Targeting assistance to address migration from communities in 
                            the Northern Triangle.
Sec. 11. Targeted sanctions to fight corruption in the Northern 
                            Triangle.
Sec. 12. Requirement to provide advance notification to Congress of 
                            security assistance to Northern Triangle 
                            countries.
Sec. 13. Definitions.
Sec. 14. Determination of budgetary effects.

SEC. 2. REPORT ON DRIVERS OF MIGRATION FROM THE NORTHERN TRIANGLE TO 
              THE UNITED STATES.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the 
Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development 
and the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall submit to the 
appropriate congressional committees a report on the drivers of 
migration from each of the Northern Triangle countries and the progress 
United States foreign assistance is making in addressing such drivers.
    (b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a) shall 
include the following elements for each of the Northern Triangle 
countries, with data disaggregated by municipality, age, and gender, as 
necessary:
            (1) Information and data on all criminal activities, 
        including drug trafficking, extortion, trafficking in persons, 
        and gender-based violence, with particular emphasis on such 
        activities carried out by criminal gangs and transnational 
        criminal organizations such as MS-13 and the 18th Street Gang.
            (2) Data on the extent to which criminal activities 
        referred to in paragraph (1) are reported to government 
        authorities and the number of perpetrators investigated, 
        apprehended, prosecuted, or convicted, versus the number of 
        known perpetrators who are not so investigated, apprehended, 
        prosecuted, or convicted.
            (3) Data on children and young adults forcibly recruited 
        for criminal activities referred to in paragraph (1), including 
        the extent to which government authorities received reports of 
        forced recruitment.
            (4) Data on internal displacement due to criminal 
        activities referred to in paragraph (1), and services, 
        including temporary shelters, provided to those displaced by 
        violence.
            (5) Data on gender-based violence by region and 
        municipality and descriptions of gender-based violence and 
        domestic violence trends, including gender-based violence 
        against indigenous women, and correlation to outward migration.
            (6) Descriptions of the obstacles (including capacity gaps 
        within the criminal justice systems) to resolving gender-based 
        violence cases and deterring violence against women and 
        children.
            (7) Information on the availability of trauma-informed 
        legal and social services, including in shelters, for victims 
        of gender-based violence.
            (8) Data on the number of police officers, prosecutors, 
        court personnel, and specialized units trained in violence 
        against women and children, including data on the number of 
        female police officers in each of the Northern Triangle 
        countries.
            (9) Data on reported cases of abuse, including 
        extrajudicial executions, torture, forced disappearance, and 
        arbitrary detention, allegedly committed by members of the 
        security forces, and collusion between members of such security 
        forces and gangs and other criminal groups, including 
        transnational criminal organizations, and the number of 
        perpetrators investigated, apprehended, prosecuted, or 
        convicted, versus the number of known perpetrators not so 
        investigated, apprehended, prosecuted, or convicted.
            (10) Descriptions of the strategies being implemented to 
        guarantee the rights of indigenous and rural communities.
            (11) Descriptions of the strategies being implemented to 
        address forced recruitment of children and youth by gangs, 
        transnational criminal organizations, and other criminal 
        groups, and how such strategies are complemented by United 
        States efforts.
            (12) Descriptions of the strategies being implemented by 
        the governments of each of the Northern Triangle countries to 
        address corruption and organized crime and how such strategies 
        are complemented by United States efforts.
            (13) Data on the effectiveness of anti-corruption 
        strategies, including through bilateral and multilateral anti-
        corruption assistance.
            (14) An assessment of the extent of corruption, including 
        regarding narcotics trafficking and illicit campaign financing, 
        a description of steps taken and to be taken to impose 
        sanctions pursuant to the Global Magnitsky Human Rights 
        Accountability Act (22 U.S.C. 2656 note), and a list of senior 
        officials who are known or credibly alleged to have committed 
        or facilitated such corruption, not including individuals who 
        have already been sentenced to crimes in criminal courts.
            (15) Descriptions of operating conditions for civil society 
        organizations and independent media in each of the Northern 
        Triangle countries, and data on harassment and attacks on civil 
        society and independent media from political and criminal 
        actors.
            (16) An assessment of information sharing regarding known 
        or suspected terrorists and other individuals and groups that 
        pose a potential threat to United States national security that 
        are crossing through or residing in the Northern Triangle.
            (17) Descriptions of the obstacles (including capacity gaps 
        within the criminal justice systems) to resolving criminal 
        cases and corruption and deterring violence.
            (18) Data on the capacity of child welfare systems in each 
        Northern Triangle country to protect unaccompanied children, 
        including runaways and refugee returnees.
            (19) Data on the governance capacity of Northern Triangle 
        country governments at the local and national level, including 
        ability to deliver basic citizen services, including tax 
        collection and citizen security.
            (20) Data on the rates of extortion, the impact of 
        extortion on local businesses and economies, and the number of 
        extortion cases investigated, prosecuted, or convicted.
            (21) Data on the extent to which the Northern Triangle 
        governments are promoting economic growth and educational 
        opportunities, improving health outcomes, and addressing the 
        underlying causes of poverty and inequality through public 
        policies.
            (22) Data on the activities of China and Russia, an 
        assessment of the threat of such activities to United States 
        interests, and the impact of such activities on irregular 
        migration.
            (23) An analysis of the manner and extent to which 
        assistance made available to the Northern Triangle countries in 
        fiscal years 2015 through 2017 were expended, particularly 
        including--
                    (A) the extent to which funds made available to 
                private and nongovernmental entities to provide such 
                assistance were subsequently expended on activities 
                conducted within such countries; and
                    (B) the manner in which such funds were expended on 
                activities in other countries.
            (24) Data on the geographic regions where highest incidence 
        of violence occurs against women and children.
            (25) An evaluation of the extent to which women and 
        children who are victims of violence have access to protection 
        and justice.
            (26) An evaluation of the capacity of the justice system in 
        each Northern Triangle country to respond to reports of 
        femicide, sexual assault, domestic violence, trafficking, or 
        child abuse and neglect, and to hold perpetrators of such 
        crimes accountable.
    (c) Public Availability.--The report required under subsection (a) 
shall be made publicly available on the website of the Department of 
State.

SEC. 3. ACTIONS TO PROMOTE INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN 
              THE NORTHERN TRIANGLE.

    (a) Secretary of State Prioritization.--The Secretary of State 
shall prioritize economic development in the Northern Triangle 
countries by carrying out the following initiatives:
            (1) Supporting market-based solutions to eliminate 
        constraints to inclusive economic growth, including through 
        support for increased digital connectivity and the use of 
        financial technology, and private sector and civil society-led 
        efforts to create jobs and foster economic prosperity.
            (2) Addressing underlying causes of poverty and inequality, 
        including by improving nutrition and food security, providing 
        health resources and access to clean water, sanitation, 
        hygiene, and shelter, and improving livelihoods.
            (3) Responding to immediate humanitarian needs by 
        increasing humanitarian assistance, including through access to 
        clean water, sanitation, hygiene, and shelter, improving 
        livelihoods, and by providing health resources and improving 
        nutrition and food security.
            (4) Supporting conservation and community resilience and 
        strengthening community preparedness for natural disasters and 
        other external shocks.
            (5) Identifying, as appropriate, a role for the United 
        States International Development Finance Corporation, the 
        Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the United States 
        Agency for International Development, and the United States 
        private sector in supporting efforts to increase private sector 
        investment and strengthen economic prosperity.
            (6) Expanding comprehensive reintegration mechanisms for 
        repatriated individuals once returned to their countries of 
        origin and supporting efforts by the private sector to hire and 
        train eligible returnees.
            (7) Establishing monitoring and verification services to 
        determine the well-being of repatriated children in order to 
        determine if United States protection and screening functioned 
        effectively in identifying persecuted and trafficked children.
            (8) Supporting efforts to increase domestic resource 
        mobilization, including through strengthening of tax collection 
        and enforcement and legal arbitration mechanisms.
    (b) Strategy.--
            (1) Elements.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in 
        coordination with the Administrator of the United States Agency 
        for International Development, the President and Chief 
        Executive Officer of the Inter-American Foundation, the 
        Director of the United States Trade and Development Agency, the 
        Chief Executive Officer of the United States International 
        Development Finance Corporation, and the heads of other 
        relevant Federal agencies, shall submit to the appropriate 
        congressional committees a 5-year strategy to support inclusive 
        economic growth and development in the Northern Triangle 
        countries by carrying out the initiatives described in 
        subsection (a).
            (2) Consultation.--In developing the strategy required 
        under paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall consult with 
        nongovernmental organizations in the Northern Triangle 
        countries and the United States.
            (3) Benchmarks.--The strategy required under paragraph (1) 
        shall include annual benchmarks to track the strategy's 
        progress in curbing irregular migration from the Northern 
        Triangle to the United States.
            (4) Public diplomacy.--The strategy required under 
        paragraph (1) shall include a public diplomacy strategy for 
        educating citizens of the Northern Triangle countries about 
        United States assistance and its benefits to them, and 
        informing such citizens of the dangers of illegal migration to 
        the United States.
            (5) Annual progress updates.--Not later than 1 year after 
        the submission of the strategy required under paragraph (1) and 
        annually thereafter for 4 years, the Secretary of State shall 
        provide the appropriate congressional committees with a written 
        description of progress made in meeting the benchmarks 
        established in the strategy.
            (6) Public availability.--The strategy required under 
        paragraph (1) shall be made publicly available on the website 
        of the Department of State.
    (c) Report on Establishing an Investment Fund for the Northern 
Triangle Countries and Southern Mexico.--Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Chief Executive Officer of 
the United States International Development Finance Corporation shall 
submit to the appropriate congressional committees a detailed report 
assessing the feasibility, costs, and benefits of the Corporation 
establishing an investment fund to promote economic and social 
development in the Northern Triangle countries and southern Mexico.

SEC. 4. ACTIONS TO COMBAT CORRUPTION IN THE NORTHERN TRIANGLE.

    (a) Secretary of State Prioritization.--The Secretary of State 
shall prioritize efforts to combat corruption in the Northern Triangle 
countries by carrying out the following initiatives:
            (1) Supporting anti-corruption efforts, including by 
        strengthening national justice systems and attorneys general, 
        providing technical assistance to financial institutions to 
        identify money laundering and other financial crimes, breaking 
        up financial holdings of organized criminal syndicates, 
        including illegally acquired lands and proceeds from illegal 
        activities, and supporting independent media and investigative 
        reporting.
            (2) Supporting anti-corruption efforts through bilateral 
        assistance and complementary support through multilateral anti-
        corruption mechanisms when necessary.
            (3) Encouraging cooperation agreements between the 
        Department of State and relevant United States Government 
        agencies and attorneys general to fight corruption.
            (4) Supporting efforts to strengthen special prosecutorial 
        offices and financial institutions to combat corruption, money 
        laundering, financial crimes, extortion, human rights crimes, 
        asset forfeiture, and criminal analysis.
            (5) Supporting initiatives to advance judicial integrity 
        and improve security for members of the judicial sector.
            (6) Supporting transparent, merit-based selection processes 
        for prosecutors and judges and the development of professional 
        and merit-based civil services.
            (7) Supporting the establishment or strengthening of 
        methods, procedures, and expectations for internal and external 
        control mechanisms for the security and police services and 
        judiciary.
            (8) Supporting the adoption of appropriate technologies to 
        combat corruption in public finance.
    (b) Strategy.--
            (1) Elements.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in 
        coordination with the Administrator of the United States Agency 
        for International Development and the heads of other relevant 
        Federal agencies, shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
        committees a 5-year strategy to combat corruption in the 
        Northern Triangle countries by carrying out the initiatives 
        described in subsection (a).
            (2) Consultation.--In developing the strategy required 
        under paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall consult with 
        nongovernmental organizations in the Northern Triangle 
        countries and the United States.
            (3) Benchmarks.--The strategy required under paragraph (1) 
        shall include annual benchmarks to track the strategy's 
        progress in curbing irregular migration from the Northern 
        Triangle to the United States.
            (4) Public diplomacy.--The strategy required under 
        paragraph (1) shall include a public diplomacy strategy for 
        educating citizens of the Northern Triangle countries about 
        United States assistance and its benefits to them, and 
        informing such citizens of the dangers of illegal migration to 
        the United States.
            (5) Annual progress updates.--Not later than 1 year after 
        the submission of the strategy required under paragraph (1) and 
        annually thereafter for 4 years, the Secretary of State shall 
        provide the appropriate congressional committees with a written 
        description of progress made in meeting the benchmarks 
        established in the strategy.
            (6) Public availability.--The strategy required under 
        paragraph (1) shall be made publicly available on the website 
        of the Department of State.
    (c) Designation of a Senior Rule of Law Advisor for the Northern 
Triangle in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs.--The Secretary of 
State shall designate in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs of 
the Department of State a Senior Rule of Law Advisor for the Northern 
Triangle who shall lead diplomatic engagement with the Northern 
Triangle countries in support of democratic governance, anti-corruption 
efforts, and the rule of law in all aspects of United States policy 
towards the countries of the Northern Triangle, including carrying out 
the initiatives described in subsection (a) and developing the strategy 
required under subsection (b). The individual designated in accordance 
with this subsection shall be a Department of State employee in the 
Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs.

SEC. 5. ACTIONS TO STRENGTHEN DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS IN THE NORTHERN 
              TRIANGLE.

    (a) Secretary of State Prioritization.--The Secretary of State 
shall prioritize strengthening democratic institutions, good 
governance, human rights, and the rule of law in the Northern Triangle 
countries by carrying out the following initiatives:
            (1) Providing support to strengthen government institutions 
        and actors at the local and national levels to provide services 
        and respond to citizen needs through transparent, inclusive, 
        and democratic processes.
            (2) Supporting efforts to strengthen access to information 
        laws and reform laws that currently limit access to 
        information.
            (3) Financing efforts to build the capacity of independent 
        media with a specific focus on professional investigative 
        journalism.
            (4) Ensuring that threats and attacks on journalists and 
        human rights defenders are fully investigated and perpetrators 
        are held accountable.
            (5) Developing the capacity of civil society to conduct 
        oversight and accountability mechanisms at the national and 
        local levels.
            (6) Training political actors committed to democratic 
        principles.
            (7) Strengthening electoral institutions and processes to 
        ensure free, fair, and transparent elections.
            (8) Advancing conservation principles and the rule of law 
        to address multiple factors, including the impacts of illegal 
        cattle ranching and smuggling as drivers of deforestation.
    (b) Strategy.--
            (1) Elements.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in 
        coordination with the Administrator of the United States Agency 
        for International Development and the heads of other relevant 
        Federal agencies, shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
        committees a strategy to support democratic governance in the 
        Northern Triangle countries by carrying out the initiatives 
        described in subsection (a).
            (2) Consultation.--In developing the strategy required 
        under paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall consult with 
        nongovernmental organizations in the Northern Triangle 
        countries and the United States.
            (3) Benchmarks.--The strategy required under paragraph (1) 
        shall include annual benchmarks to track the strategy's 
        progress in curbing irregular migration from the Northern 
        Triangle to the United States.
            (4) Public diplomacy.--The strategy required under 
        paragraph (1) shall include a public diplomacy strategy for 
        educating citizens of the Northern Triangle countries about 
        United States assistance and its benefits to them, and 
        informing such citizens of the dangers of illegal migration to 
        the United States.
            (5) Annual progress updates.--Not later than 1 year after 
        the submission of the strategy required under paragraph (1) and 
        annually thereafter for 4 years, the Secretary of State shall 
        provide the appropriate congressional committees with a written 
        description of progress made in meeting the benchmarks 
        established in the strategy.
            (6) Public availability.--The strategy required under 
        paragraph (1) shall be made publicly available on the website 
        of the Department of State.

SEC. 6. ACTIONS TO IMPROVE SECURITY CONDITIONS IN THE NORTHERN 
              TRIANGLE.

    (a) Secretary of State Prioritization.--The Secretary of State 
shall prioritize security in the Northern Triangle countries by 
carrying out the following initiatives:
            (1) Implementing the Central America Regional Security 
        Initiative of the Department of State.
            (2) Continuing the vetting and professionalization of 
        security services, including the civilian police and military 
        units.
            (3) Supporting efforts to combat the illicit activities of 
        criminal gangs and transnational criminal organizations, 
        including MS-13 and the 18th Street Gang, through support to 
        fully vetted elements of attorneys general offices, appropriate 
        government institutions, and security services.
            (4) Supporting training for fully vetted civilian police 
        and appropriate security services in criminal investigations, 
        best practices for citizen security, and human rights.
            (5) Providing capacity-building to relevant security 
        services and attorneys general to support counternarcotics 
        efforts and combat human trafficking, forcible recruitment of 
        children and youth by gangs, gender-based violence, and other 
        illicit activities, including trafficking of wildlife, and 
        natural resources.
            (6) Encouraging collaboration with regional and 
        international partners in implementing security assistance, 
        including by supporting cross-border information sharing on 
        gangs and transnational criminal organizations.
            (7) Providing equipment, technology, tools, and training to 
        security services to assist in border and port inspections.
            (8) Providing equipment, technology, tools, and training to 
        assist security services in counternarcotics and other efforts 
        to combat illicit activities.
            (9) Continuing information sharing regarding known or 
        suspected terrorists and other individuals and entities that 
        pose a potential threat to United States national security that 
        are crossing through or residing in the Northern Triangle.
            (10) Supporting information sharing on gangs and 
        transnational criminal organizations between relevant Federal, 
        State, and local law enforcement and the governments of the 
        Northern Triangle countries.
            (11) Considering the use of assets and resources of United 
        States State and local government entities, as appropriate, to 
        support the activities described in this subsection.
            (12) Providing thorough end-use monitoring of equipment, 
        technology, tools, and training provided pursuant to this 
        subsection.
    (b) Strategy.--
            (1) Elements.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in 
        coordination with the Administrator of the United States Agency 
        for International Development and the heads of other relevant 
        Federal agencies, shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
        committees a 5-year strategy to prioritize the improvement of 
        security in the Northern Triangle countries by carrying out the 
        initiatives described in subsection (a).
            (2) Consultation.--In developing the strategy required 
        under paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall consult with 
        nongovernmental organizations in the Northern Triangle 
        countries and the United States.
            (3) Benchmarks.--The strategy required under paragraph (1) 
        shall include annual benchmarks to track the strategy's 
        progress in curbing irregular migration from the Northern 
        Triangle to the United States.
            (4) Public diplomacy.--The strategy required under 
        paragraph (1) shall include a public diplomacy strategy for 
        educating citizens of the Northern Triangle countries about 
        United States assistance and its benefits to them, and 
        informing such citizens of the dangers of illegal migration to 
        the United States.
            (5) Annual progress updates.--Not later than 1 year after 
        the submission of the strategy required under paragraph (1) and 
        annually thereafter for 4 years, the Secretary of State shall 
        provide the appropriate congressional committees with a written 
        description of progress made in meeting the benchmarks 
        established in the strategy.
            (6) Public availability.--The strategy required under 
        paragraph (1) shall be made publicly available on the website 
        of the Department of State.
    (c) Women and Children Protection Compacts.--
            (1) In general.--The President, in consultation with the 
        Secretary of State, the Administrator of the United States 
        Agency for International Development, and the heads of other 
        relevant Federal departments or agencies, is authorized to 
        enter into bilateral agreements with one or more of the 
        Governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, or Honduras to provide 
        United States assistance for the purposes of--
                    (A) strengthening the capacity of the justice 
                systems in such countries to protect women and children 
                fleeing domestic, gang, or drug violence and to serve 
                victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, 
                trafficking, or child abuse or neglect, including by 
                strengthening the capacity of such systems to hold 
                perpetrators accountable; and
                    (B) creating, securing, and sustaining safe 
                communities and schools in such countries, by building 
                on current approaches to prevent and deter violence 
                against women and children in such communities or 
                schools.
            (2) Requirements.--An agreement under the authority 
        provided by paragraph (1)--
                    (A) shall establish a 3- to 6-year plan to achieve 
                the objectives described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) 
                of such paragraph;
                    (B) shall include measurable goals and indicators 
                with respect to such objectives;
                    (C) may not provide for any United States 
                assistance to be made available directly to any of the 
                governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, or Honduras; and
                    (D) may be suspended or terminated with respect to 
                a country or an entity receiving assistance pursuant to 
                the agreement, if the Secretary of State determines 
                that such country or entity has failed to make 
                sufficient progress towards the goals of the Compact.

SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE TO CENTRAL 
              AMERICA.

    (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
President $577,000,000 for fiscal year 2020 to carry out the United 
States Strategy for Engagement in Central America in accordance with 
subsection (b). Funds authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
section shall be used only for the purposes set forth in subsection 
(b).
    (b) Use of Funds.--
            (1) In general.--Amounts authorized to be appropriated 
        pursuant to subsection (a) shall be made available for 
        assistance to Central American countries to implement the 
        United States Strategy for Engagement in Central America, 
        including efforts to carry out sections 3, 4, 5, and 6.
            (2) Effective targeting of assistance.--The Secretary of 
        State shall ensure that, to the extent practicable, assistance 
        provided to Central American countries to carry out this Act is 
        obligated and expended on projects, programs, or activities 
        within such countries, in order to better support inclusive 
        economic growth and development, combat corruption, strengthen 
        democratic institutions, and improve security conditions in 
        such countries.
    (c) Inter-American Foundation.--Not less than $10,000,000 of the 
funds authorized to be appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) shall be 
made available to the Inter-American Foundation to address the root 
causes of migration from Central America.
    (d) Northern Triangle.--Not less than $490,000,000 of the funds 
authorized to be appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) shall be made 
available for programming in the Northern Triangle counties.
    (e) Women and Children Protection Compacts.--Not less than 
$20,000,000 of the funds authorized to be appropriated pursuant to 
subsection (a) shall be made available to provide assistance pursuant 
to agreements authorized by section 6(c).

SEC. 8. CONDITIONS ON ASSISTANCE TO THE NORTHERN TRIANGLE.

    (a) In General.--Of the funds authorized to be appropriated to the 
President by this Act that are made available for assistance for each 
of the central governments of the Northern Triangle countries, 50 
percent of such funds for each such central government may only be 
obligated with respect to each such country after the Secretary of 
State certifies and reports to the appropriate congressional committees 
that such central government is meeting the following conditions:
            (1) Informing its citizens of the dangers of the journey to 
        the southwest border of the United States.
            (2) Combating all human smuggling and trafficking entities.
            (3) Countering the trafficking of illicit drugs, firearms, 
        wildlife, natural resources, and other contraband.
            (4) Combating corruption, including investigating and 
        prosecuting current and former government officials credibly 
        alleged to be corrupt.
            (5) Implementing reforms, policies, and programs to 
        increase transparency and strengthen public institutions and 
        the rule of law.
            (6) Countering the activities of criminal gangs, drug 
        traffickers, and transnational criminal organizations.
            (7) Ensuring that human rights are respected by national 
        security forces.
            (8) Investigating and prosecuting in the civilian justice 
        system government personnel who are credibly alleged to have 
        violated human rights.
            (9) Cooperating with commissions against corruption and 
        impunity and with regional human rights entities.
            (10) Supporting programs to reduce poverty, expand 
        education and vocational training for at-risk youth, create 
        jobs, and promote equitable economic growth, particularly in 
        areas contributing to large numbers of migrants.
            (11) Creating a professional, accountable civilian police 
        force and ending the role of the military in internal policing.
            (12) Protecting the right of political opposition parties 
        and other members of civil society to operate without 
        interference.
            (13) Implementing tax reforms, ensuring property rights, 
        and supporting increased private investment in the region.
            (14) Resolving commercial disputes.
    (b) Reprogramming.--
            (1) In general.--Funds withheld pursuant to the limitation 
        described in subsection (a) shall be made available for 
        programs in the Northern Triangle that do not directly support 
        the central governments of such countries.
            (2) Exception.--The limitation described in subsection (a) 
        does not apply to funds authorized to be appropriated by this 
        Act for humanitarian assistance or global food security 
        programs.

SEC. 9. ENHANCING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF MEXICO ON THE 
              NORTHERN TRIANGLE.

    (a) Enhanced Engagement With the Government of Mexico on the 
Northern Triangle.--The Secretary of State shall collaborate with the 
Government of Mexico to--
            (1) enhance development, particularly in collaboration with 
        the Administrator of the United States Agency for International 
        Development, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the 
        Inter-American Foundation, the Chief Executive Officer of the 
        United States International Development Finance Corporation, 
        and the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, in southern 
        Mexico; and
            (2) strengthen security cooperation at Mexico's shared 
        border with Guatemala and Belize.
    (b) Strategy.--
            (1) Elements.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit 
        to the appropriate congressional committees a strategy to carry 
        out the collaboration described in subsection (a).
            (2) Consultation.--In developing the strategy required 
        under paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall consult with 
        nongovernmental organizations in Mexico, Belize, the Northern 
        Triangle countries, and the United States.
            (3) Public availability.--The strategy required under 
        paragraph (1) shall be made publicly available on the website 
        of the Department of State.

SEC. 10. TARGETING ASSISTANCE TO ADDRESS MIGRATION FROM COMMUNITIES IN 
              THE NORTHERN TRIANGLE.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act 
and annually thereafter for each of the three succeeding years, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the 
appropriate congressional committees a report that contains the 
following:
            (1) Raw data from Federal agencies on the number of 
        migrants coming to the United States from each community or 
        geographic area in the Northern Triangle countries, with a 
        specific focus on communities targeted by United States foreign 
        assistance.
            (2) An assessment of whether United States foreign 
        assistance to the Northern Triangle countries is effectively 
        reaching the communities from which individuals are migrating.
            (3) An assessment of the extent to which United States 
        foreign assistance is mitigating Northern Triangle migration to 
        the United States, including a breakdown of effectiveness by 
        project and implementer.
            (4) An assessment of the extent to which the Department of 
        State and the United States Agency for International 
        Development are adjusting foreign assistance programming in the 
        Northern Triangle countries as migration patterns shift.
            (5) An assessment of how the Department of State, the 
        United States Agency for International Development, and other 
        implementers of United States foreign assistance in the 
        Northern Triangle are measuring the impact of programs on 
        migration trends.
            (6) An assessment of how the Department of State, the 
        United States Agency for International Development, and other 
        implementers of United States foreign assistance in the 
        Northern Triangle are implementing a public diplomacy strategy 
        that is widely informing local citizens about United States 
        Government assistance and the dangers of illegal migration to 
        the United States, including an assessment of the effectiveness 
        of such strategy on curbing such illegal migration.
            (7) An assessment of the extent to which the governments of 
        the Northern Triangle countries are addressing drivers of 
        migration, including efforts to increase economic prosperity, 
        citizen security, anti-corruption efforts, democratic 
        principles, and rule of law.
            (8) An assessment of how the Northern Triangle countries 
        are educating their citizens about the dangers of illegal 
        migration to the United States and the effectiveness of such 
        educational efforts on curbing such illegal migration.

SEC. 11. TARGETED SANCTIONS TO FIGHT CORRUPTION IN THE NORTHERN 
              TRIANGLE.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) corruption in the Northern Triangle countries by 
        private citizens and select officials in local, regional, and 
        federal governments significantly damages the economies of such 
        countries and deprives citizens of opportunities;
            (2) corruption in the Northern Triangle is facilitated and 
        carried out not only by private citizens and select officials 
        from those countries but also in many instances by individuals 
        from third countries; and
            (3) imposing targeted sanctions on individuals from 
        throughout the world and particularly in the Western Hemisphere 
        who are engaged in acts of significant corruption that impact 
        the Northern Triangle countries will benefit the citizens and 
        governments of such countries.
    (b) Imposition of Sanctions.--The President shall impose the 
sanctions described in subsection (c) with respect to a foreign person 
who the President determines on or after the date of the enactment of 
this Act to have knowingly engaged in significant corruption in a 
Northern Triangle country, including the following:
            (1) Corruption related to government contracts.
            (2) Bribery and extortion.
            (3) The facilitation or transfer of the proceeds of 
        corruption, including through money laundering.
    (c) Sanctions Described.--
            (1) In general.--The sanctions described in this subsection 
        are the following:
                    (A) Asset blocking.--The blocking, in accordance 
                with the International Emergency Economic Powers Act 
                (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), of all transactions in all 
                property and interests in property of a foreign person 
                if such property and interests in property are in the 
                United States, come within the United States, or are or 
                come within the possession or control of a United 
                States person.
                    (B) Ineligibility for visas and admission to the 
                united states.--In the case of a foreign person who is 
                an individual, such foreign person is--
                            (i) inadmissible to the United States;
                            (ii) ineligible to receive a visa or other 
                        documentation to enter the United States; and
                            (iii) otherwise ineligible to be admitted 
                        or paroled into the United States or to receive 
                        any other benefit under the Immigration and 
                        Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).
                    (C) Current visas revoked.--
                            (i) In general.--The issuing consular 
                        officer or the Secretary of State, (or a 
                        designee of the Secretary of State) shall, in 
                        accordance with section 221(i) of the 
                        Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
                        1201(i)), revoke any visa or other entry 
                        documentation issued to a foreign person 
                        regardless of when the visa or other entry 
                        documentation is issued.
                            (ii) Effect of revocation.--A revocation 
                        under clause (i) shall--
                                    (I) take effect immediately; and
                                    (II) automatically cancel any other 
                                valid visa or entry documentation that 
                                is in the foreign person's possession.
            (2) Penalties.--A person that violates, attempts to 
        violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of a 
        measure imposed pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) or any regulation, 
        license, or order issued to carry out such paragraph shall be 
        subject to the penalties specified in subsections (b) and (c) 
        of section 206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers 
        Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) to the same extent as a person that 
        commits an unlawful act described in subsection (a) of such 
        section.
            (3) Exception to comply with international obligations.--
        Sanctions under subparagraph (B) and (C) of paragraph (1) shall 
        not apply with respect to a foreign person if admitting or 
        paroling such person into the United States is necessary to 
        permit the United States to comply with the Agreement regarding 
        the Headquarters of the United Nations, signed at Lake Success 
        June 26, 1947, and entered into force November 21, 1947, 
        between the United Nations and the United States, or other 
        applicable international obligations.
    (d) Implementation; Regulatory Authority.--
            (1) Implementation.--The President may exercise all 
        authorities provided under sections 203 and 205 of the 
        International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702 and 
        1704) to carry out this section.
            (2) Regulatory authority.--The President shall issue such 
        regulations, licenses, and orders as are necessary to carry out 
        this section.
    (e) National Interest Waiver.--The President may waive the 
application of the sanctions under subsection (c) if the President--
            (1) determines that such a waiver is in the national 
        interest of the United States; and
            (2) submits to the appropriate congressional committees a 
        notice of and justification for the waiver.
    (f) Termination.--The authority to impose sanctions under 
subsection (b), and any sanctions imposed pursuant to such authority, 
shall expire on the date that is 3 years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.
    (g) Exception Relating to Importation of Goods.--The authorities 
and requirements to impose sanctions authorized under this Act shall 
not include the authority or requirement to impose sanctions on the 
importation of goods.
    (h) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
        ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee 
                on the Judiciary, and the Committee on Financial 
                Services of the House of Representatives; and
                    (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the 
                Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on 
                Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.
            (2) Good.--The term ``good'' means any article, natural or 
        man-made substance, material, supply or manufactured product, 
        including inspection and test equipment, and excluding 
        technical data.
            (3) Person from a northern triangle country.--The term 
        ``person from a Northern Triangle country'' means--
                    (A) a citizen of a Northern Triangle country; or
                    (B) an entity organized under the laws of a 
                Northern Triangle country or any jurisdiction within a 
                Northern Triangle country.

SEC. 12. REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE ADVANCE NOTIFICATION TO CONGRESS OF 
              SECURITY ASSISTANCE TO NORTHERN TRIANGLE COUNTRIES.

    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
President may not provide security assistance to a Northern Triangle 
country during the 3-year period beginning on the date of the enactment 
of this Act until 30 days after the date on which the President has 
provided to the appropriate congressional committees notice of such 
proposed provision of security assistance.
    (b) Waiver.--The President may waive the application of subsection 
(a) on a case-by-case basis if the President--
            (1) determines it is in the national security interests of 
        the United States to do so; and
            (2) submits to the appropriate congressional committees 
        such determination and the rationale for the determination.
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
        ``appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committee on 
        Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate.
            (2) Security assistance.--The term ``security 
        assistance''--
                    (A) has the meaning given such term in section 
                502B(d)(2) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 
                U.S.C. 2304); and
                    (B) includes assistance under any international 
                security assistance program conducted under any other 
                provision of law not specified in section 502B(d)(2) of 
                such Act.

SEC. 13. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--Except as 
        otherwise provided, the term ``appropriate congressional 
        committees'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the 
                Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
                Representatives; and
                    (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the 
                Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
            (2) Northern triangle.--The term ``Northern Triangle'' 
        means the region of Central America that encompasses the 
        countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.
            (3) Northern triangle countries.--The term ``Northern 
        Triangle countries'' means the countries of El Salvador, 
        Guatemala, and Honduras.
            (4) Transnational criminal organization.--The term 
        ``transnational criminal organization'' has the meaning given 
        the term ``significant transnational criminal organization'' in 
        Executive Order No. 13581 (July 24, 2011).

SEC. 14. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

    The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying 
with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go-Act of 2010, shall be determined by 
reference to the latest statement titled ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO 
Legislation'' for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional 
Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that 
such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

            Passed the House of Representatives July 15, 2019.

            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.
116th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                               H. R. 2615

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT

 To support the people of Central America and strengthen United States 
 national security by addressing the root causes of migration from El 
                   Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.
```