Drug Cartel Terrorist Designation Act

# Drug Cartel Terrorist Designation Act - Summary **What the Bill Does:** This bill would direct the U.S. State Department to officially label four major Mexican drug cartels—the Gulf Cartel, Cartel Del Noreste, Sinaloa Cartel, and Jalisco New Generation Cartel—as foreign terrorist organizations. Once designated, U.S. banks and financial institutions would be required to block any transactions connected to these groups. The bill also requires the State Department to evaluate other cartels and designate additional ones as terrorist organizations if they meet specific criteria. **Who It Affects:** This primarily affects the four named cartels and potentially other drug trafficking organizations.

It also impacts U.S. financial institutions, which would need to comply with blocking transactions. The bill explicitly clarifies it won't change immigration or asylum eligibility rules. **Current Status:** The bill was introduced by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) and is currently in committee, meaning it hasn't advanced to a full House vote yet. No action has been taken beyond the initial introduction.