Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) are introducing a bipartisan and bicameral bill aimed at cracking down on the Mexican drug cartels' use of social media to recruit young Americans online.
CBS News provided examples in October 2023, describing instances on social media sites such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and other platforms where people, many of whom are Americans, were offered money to unwittingly engage in cartel activities such as human and drug smuggling over the border.
As a result, the Combating Cartels on Social Media Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to develop a strategy to counter cartel influence on the internet and contains provisions for companies to report recruitment posts on their platforms.
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"Cartel members are targeting Arizona teens on social media, luring them to smuggle migrants or illicit substances to the border in exchange for huge sums of money," said Sen. Gallego in his press release, adding, "This is any parent's worst nightmare, which is why I am joining my colleagues across the aisle to create a national strategy that will crack down on these practices. By educating teens on the risks and creating a way for social media companies to report these posts, we will create safer communities along our Southern border."
Similarly, Sen. Kelly said, "Drug cartels are a constant threat to Arizona communities, and they are using social media to put teens and young adults in harm's way."
"With this bill, we're addressing the problem head-on by helping law enforcement more easily target illicit cartel activity on social media and crack down on smuggling efforts. Keeping Arizonans safe is my top priority, and this legislation will help achieve that," Sen. Kelly continued.
Representative Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) is cosponsoring the House of Representatives companion bill.
"As Representative to a border district, I have seen firsthand the devastating effects drug cartels have on our communities," said Rep. Ciscomani, further adding, "In Pima County, fentanyl overdoses are the number one cause of death for teenagers. Tragically, the same cartels that traffic this poison into our communities are using social media to recruit American citizens, including teenagers, to smuggle drugs and other contraband into the United States. This must stop, which is why I am proud to lead this critical legislation to create a national strategy to crack down on cartel recruitment through social media and protect our communities."
