Combatting International Drug Trafficking and Human Smuggling Partnership Act of 2025
Combatting International Drug Trafficking and Human Smuggling Partnership Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Summary of HR 4071: Combatting International Drug Trafficking and Human Smuggling Partnership Act of 2025 **What the Bill Does** This bill expands the authority of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to operate in foreign countries. It allows CBP officers and agents to work with foreign governments to combat drug smuggling, human trafficking, and other security threats. The bill also allows CBP to pay claims for damages that occur during these foreign operations—for example, if someone is injured or property is damaged during a CBP activity abroad. **Who It Affects** The bill primarily affects CBP personnel and the Department of Homeland Security, as it gives them broader authority to conduct international operations. It may also impact foreign governments that work with the U.S.
on these issues, and potentially foreign nationals who could file damage claims against the U.S. government related to CBP operations. **Key Provisions** CBP can provide support for monitoring and stopping drug and human smuggling, tracking terrorist threats, emergency humanitarian aid, and helping foreign law enforcement agencies build capacity. The bill also creates a financial mechanism for the U.S. to settle damage claims arising from CBP operations in foreign countries, using appropriated funds. **Current Status** The bill has passed the House and is pending consideration in the Senate.
CRS Official Summary
Combatting International Drug Trafficking and Human Smuggling Partnership Act of 2025This bill expands permitted U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) activities in foreign countries and provides for tort claims against the United States for certain CBP operations in foreign countries.The bill allows officers and agents of the Air and Marine Operations of CBP to provide specified support to the government of foreign countries. In particular, officers and agents may provide support formonitoring, locating, and deterring the smuggling of illegal drugs, persons, or goods into the United States;tracking terrorist or other threats to the United States;emergency humanitarian efforts; andlaw enforcement capacity-building efforts.The bill also allows CBP to expend appropriated funds to pay claims for money damages made against the United States that arise in a foreign country in connection with CBP operations. This includes money damages for injury, loss of property, personal injury, or death caused by certain acts or omissions of an employee of the agency while acting within the scope of his or her office or employment. Under current law, acts occurring in foreign countries are excepted from the Federal Tort Claims Act.Claims made under the bill must be made no more than two years after the date of the incident. The authority to expend funds for such damages expires five years after the date of enactment of the bill.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.