Illicit Arms Trafficking Security Enforcement Act

To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a Border Enforcement Security Task Force unit to investigate transnational criminal organization arms smuggling across the international border between the United States and Mexico, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Illicit Arms Trafficking Security Enforcement Act 2. Border Enforcement Security Task Force unit for arms smuggling (a) Establishment Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall, pursuant to section 432 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 240 (b) Purposes The Border Enforcement Security Task Force unit established in accordance with subsection (a) shall focus on the following: (1) Reducing arms smuggling of weapons, weapon parts, munitions, explosives, and related items from the United States to Mexico. (2) Apprehending, or working with relevant law enforcement to apprehend, arms smugglers within the United States or crossing from the United States to Mexico. (3) Ensuring coordination with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to receive comprehensive data on seized firearms in Mexico through an electronic tracing system or a successor system. (4) Deconflicting arms trafficking investigations between the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice. (c) Composition The Border Enforcement Security Task Force unit established in accordance with subsection (a) shall be composed of the following: (1) U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (2) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, led by Homeland Security Investigations. (3) Other Department of Homeland Security personnel, as appropriate. (4) The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with the approval of the Attorney General. (5) Other Federal, State, local, Tribal, and foreign law enforcement agencies, including Mexican law enforcement agencies, as appropriate. (d) Resources Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Attorney General, shall submit to Congress a report that identifies technology, dedicated personnel, and other resources required for the following purposes relating to the establishment of the BEST unit in accordance with subsection (a): (1) Continuation of Operation Without a Trace and related Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives agency strategy. (2) Conducting pilot programs and operations. (3) Joint training operations. (e) Memorandum of understanding Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General shall update the 2009 memorandum of understanding between Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives relating to improving coordination on efforts to combat illegal arms trafficking.

Summary: Illicit Arms Trafficking Security Enforcement Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to establish a new unit—a Border Enforcement Security Task Force unit—to investigate transnational criminal organization arms smuggling across the international border between the United States and Mexico. The purposes of the new unit include, among other things, reducing arms smuggling from the United States to Mexico.