Cooperation on Combatting Human Smuggling and Trafficking Act

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. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Cooperation on Combatting Human Smuggling and Trafficking Act 2. DHS 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 through the following: (1) The establishment or expansion of cross-border transnational criminal investigative units to identify, disrupt, and support the prosecution of human smuggling and trafficking operations. (2) Enhanced participation in the Bilateral Human Trafficking Enforcement Initiative or successor initiative. (3) Advanced training for certain investigators and prosecutors from Mexico and such 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 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. Such campaigns shall 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.

Summary: Cooperation on Combatting Human Smuggling and Trafficking Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to take various actions to address human smuggling and trafficking. DHS must seek to expand partnerships with law enforcement in Latin American countries to combat human smuggling and trafficking operations in such countries. DHS must also seek to expand collaborative programs involving Homeland Security Investigations that are aimed at human smugglers and traffickers targeting children and families that pose border security threats at the U.S. southern border. The bill also requires DHS to carry out public information campaigns targeting migrant populations in Latin American countries and other countries with high migration rates. The campaigns shall address the dangers of traveling across Mexico to the United States and also combat misinformation and disinformation by nefarious actors regarding U.S. laws or policies.