S. 50 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Jan 9, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryCreates penalties for interfering with border control
This bill makes it a federal crime to knowingly share information about law enforcement location or activities in a way that helps someone commit crimes related to immigration, drugs, or border control. It also criminalizes damaging or destroying devices used to monitor the border. The bill adds tougher penalties if someone uses or carries a firearm while committing certain immigration crimes, like helping someone who's been convicted of a felony enter the country illegally.
How it affects you
This would mainly affect law enforcement, border officials, and others working on border security. For the general public, it means that knowingly tipping off someone about law enforcement activity at the border—with the intent to help them break immigration or drug laws—could result in serious federal charges. The law wouldn't affect everyday people unless they're directly involved in such activity.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Jan 9, 2025)
Transnational Criminal Organization Illicit Spotter Prevention and Elimination Act
This bill provides for criminal penalties for certain conduct that interferes with U.S. border control measures.
Specifically, a person who knowingly transmits the location or activities of law enforcement with the intent to further a crime related to immigration, customs, controlled substances, or other border controls may be imprisoned for a maximum of 10 years. A person who knowingly damages or destroys a device deployed to control the border or a port of entry may be imprisoned for a maximum of 10 years.
Additionally, the bill provides for enhanced punishment for carrying or using a firearm in connection with certain criminal immigration violations such as assisting a non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law) who is inadmissible due to a felony conviction enter the United States.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 50
A BILL
Transnational Criminal Organization Illicit Spotter Prevention and Elimination Act
Sponsor: Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) · Introduced Jan 9, 2025 · Immigration · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jan 9, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.”