WASHINGTON-Today, U.S. Sens. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) introduced new legislation empowering President Trump to sanction foreign governments that refuse to accept migrant repatriation flights from the U.S. The Stifling Transnational Operations and Proliferators by Mitigating Activities that Drive Narcotics, Exploitation, and Smuggling Sanctions (STOP MADNESS) Act would also sanction individuals that knowingly facilitate illegal immigration to the U.S. and authorize President Trump to block assets and restrict transactions to sanctioned individuals.
“Socialist dictators like Gustavo Petro are going to learn they have two options with President Trump when it comes to migrant reparations: the easy way and the hard way,” said Senator Moreno. “Our bill will give President Trump all the authority he needs to apply maximum pressure against corrupt individuals within foreign governments who refuse to allow the US to secure our borders.”
“If a foreign entity shows resistance to repatriation or enables illegal immigration to the United States, they should be met with the full force of our economic and national security tools. The American people gave President Trump – and Congress – a mandate to crack down on illegal immigration, and this bill will ensure the president has important tools to hold accountable countries and criminal organizations who refuse to comply with our immigration laws. I’m proud to lead this important effort to help protect the safety of Americans,” said Senator Scott.
BACKGROUND:
The STOP MADNESS Act would:
- Impose sanctions on foreign governments that refuse to accept the return of their citizens who have unlawfully entered the United States, denying them access to the U.S. financial system.
- Sanction individuals and entities that knowingly facilitate unlawful immigration, including human smuggling networks and financial institutions that enable their operations.
- Authorize the President to invoke authorities under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to block assets and restrict transactions related to sanctioned individuals and entities.
- Mandate a report from the President on actions taken pursuant to the bill, providing transparency to Congress for further legislative action.