II Calendar No. 748 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 5315 [Report No. 118–328] IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 14, 2024 Mr. Peters (for himself and Mr. Kelly ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs December 19 (legislative day, December 16), 2024 Reported by Mr. Peters , with an amendment Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic A BILL 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 Combating Human Smuggling and Trafficking Act . 2. Department of Homeland Security 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 by— (1) establishing or expanding cross-border transnational criminal investigative units to identify, disrupt, and support the prosecution of human smuggling and trafficking operations; (2) enhancing participation in the Bilateral Human Trafficking Enforcement Initiative or a successor initiative; and (3) providing advanced training for certain investigators and prosecutors from Mexico and other Latin American 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— (A) 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; and (B) to 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.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Cooperation on Combating Human Smuggling and Trafficking Act . 2. Department of Homeland Security partnerships to combat human smuggling and trafficking (a) In general The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with appropriate Federal partners, shall combat human smuggling and trafficking by seeking to expand partnerships with appropriate law enforcement entities in Mexico and Central American and South American countries, including by— (1) establishing or expanding cross-border transnational criminal investigative units to identify, disrupt, and support the prosecution of human smuggling and trafficking operations; (2) enhancing participation in the Bilateral Human Trafficking Enforcement Initiative or a successor initiative; and (3) providing advanced training for certain investigators and prosecutors from Mexico and such countries, including training on civil rights, civil liberties, and privacy protections. (b) Investigation and prosecution of human smuggling and trafficking The Secretary of Homeland Security shall evaluate and report to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives regarding the potential for the expansion of collaborative programs involving Homeland Security Investigations that are aimed at supporting the investigation and prosecution of human smugglers and traffickers 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— (A) 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; and (B) to 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. (d) Report on effective communications Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall— (1) conduct a study that— (A) assesses the effectiveness of public information campaigns that have been implemented by the Department of Homeland Security to carry out the objectives set forth in subsection (c)(1); and (B) identifies the best practices with respect to such campaigns; and (2) submit a report containing the findings of such study to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives .

December 19 (legislative day, December 16), 2024 Reported with an amendment