No More Narcos Act

Bill Number

H.R. 4471

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-07-16: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-01-13T09:05:41Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "No More Narcos Act" (H.R. 4471) aims to protect minors from recruitment by cartels and transnational criminal organizations by launching an educational campaign and a national strategy. It focuses on raising awareness about the risks involved and combating recruitment efforts, particularly in border communities, to reduce involvement in illegal activities like smuggling and trafficking.

Key Provisions

• Informational Campaign: Within one year of enactment, the Attorney General, through the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), must create and run a campaign to educate "covered students" about the dangers of working with cartels or transnational criminal organizations. This involves consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, Secretary of Education, Director of National Drug Control Policy, and relevant federal, state, local, or tribal agencies.
• National Strategy: The Secretary of Homeland Security must develop and implement a strategy to fight cartels and transnational criminal organizations that target and recruit minors in the U.S. for unlawful smuggling or trafficking activities.
• Definitions:
• Covered student: Middle school or high school students in U.S. communities within 100 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border.
• Minor: Anyone under 18 years old.
• Transnational criminal organization: Groups operating across borders for illegal gains (e.g., drug trafficking, human smuggling, money laundering) using corruption, violence, or structured networks to protect their activities.
• References standard definitions for "high school" and "middle grades" from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends Section 524(c)(1) of Title 28, United States Code (governing the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund), by adding a new subparagraph (K). This allows fund payments to support:
• The informational campaign educating students on cartel risks.
• The national strategy against minor recruitment.
• This change expands the use of forfeiture proceeds (money or assets seized from crimes) to finance these anti-cartel youth protection efforts, without requiring new congressional appropriations.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Increases coordination among federal entities like the DEA, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Education, and Office of National Drug Control Policy. It leverages existing forfeiture funds, potentially easing budget strains for anti-crime initiatives but requiring new administrative efforts for campaign and strategy implementation.
• On Citizens: Targets education for middle and high school students near the U.S.-Mexico border, aiming to deter minors from criminal involvement and reduce risks like violence or exploitation. Could lead to safer communities by preventing youth recruitment into dangerous activities.
• On International Relations: Strengthens U.S. efforts against cross-border crime, particularly Mexican cartels, which may indirectly pressure international cooperation on issues like drug trafficking and migrant smuggling, though the bill focuses domestically.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Minors and Students: Primarily middle and high schoolers in border areas (within 100 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border), who are at higher risk of recruitment.
• Federal Agencies: DEA (leads campaign), DHS (leads strategy), Department of Justice (fund management), Department of Education, and Office of National Drug Control Policy.
• State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Involved in consultations and potential implementation, especially in border regions.
• Communities and Families: Border-area residents, schools, and families benefiting from heightened awareness and prevention efforts against transnational crime.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Relies on existing forfeiture laws for funding, which could streamline implementation but raises questions about the allocation of seized assets toward preventive education rather than direct enforcement. The bill's definitions align with established federal statutes, ensuring clarity without broad new regulatory powers.
• Constitutional: Minimal direct implications, as it emphasizes voluntary education and strategy development rather than restricting rights; it avoids mandates on individuals and focuses on government-led initiatives, respecting free speech and due process.
• Political: Highlights bipartisan concern over border security and youth protection from organized crime, potentially influencing future immigration and anti-drug policies. By targeting cartels without new spending, it appeals to fiscal conservatives while addressing humanitarian angles like minor exploitation.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2]

Cosponsors (3)

Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

Recent Actions

• 2025-07-16: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2025-07-16: Introduced in House
• 2025-07-16: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• No More Narcos Act — issued 2025-07-16 — PDF (4 pages)