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Sen. Cornyn Announces New Federal Legislation To Crack Down On Human Smugglers
Joined by Laredo Border Patrol Chief Carlos Carillo, Texas Homeland Security Director Steve McCraw, and reps from ICE, FBI and CBP
Friday, July 11, 2008
LAREDO—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee’s Immigration, Border Security and Refugees subcommittee, today announced federal legislation he has introduced to crack down on commercial vehicle operators who engage in human smuggling.
Sen. Cornyn’s new legislation, S.3250, the Putting the Brakes on Human Smuggling Act, will close a federal loophole that currently inflicts tougher penalties on commercial motor vehicle operators who smuggle narcotics than those who smuggle humans. For example, the man responsible for abandoning a trailer full of more than 75 illegal immigrants in Victoria in 2003, killing 19 of them in the process, did not have his New York state commercial driver license (CDL) revoked because his crime was "not considered a traffic offense."
“We are all too familiar with the human smuggling tragedies that have occurred over the years in Texas and along our nation’s borders. Every year thousands of people risk and lose their lives to illegally enter the United States. Not only do human smugglers show no regard for the laws of our country, but they actively put people in harm’s way by transporting them in their commercial vehicles.
“In Texas, we wisely suspend, revoke or cancel the commercial drivers licenses of those found guilty of a felony but surprisingly this is not the case across the country. While those who smuggle narcotics generally lose their commercial license permanently, human smugglers are often free to continue operating commercial vehicles and frequently continue to break the law.
“To fix this dangerous disparity, I’ve introduced the Putting the Brakes on Human Smuggling Act to finally mandate the suspension or even revocation of commercial driver licenses when used to intentionally smuggle people into and through the country. This is not only a critical step in preventing further exploitation and endangerment of illegal immigrants, but it is also a matter of national security, as some smugglers may attempt to bring violent individuals and terrorists into our country.
“I commend Governor Perry, Chief Carillo and all of the law enforcement officials who are working to root out illegal activity and make Texas and the nation safer. I will continue to work closely with Border Patrol, local leaders and law enforcement to implement policies on the federal level that complement their hard work in boosting security for all Texans and Americans.”
Sen. Cornyn was joined today by Laredo Border Patrol Sector Chief Carlos Carillo, Texas Department of Homeland Security Director Steve McCraw, Webb County Judge Danny Valdez, and representatives from Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Background:
Illegal weapons, drug and human smuggling have been on the rise in Texas and throughout the United States due to a dramatic increase in Mexican gang and drug cartel activity in more than 100 U.S. cities. In 2008 alone, Border Patrol agents in Texas have intercepted 423 tractor trailers resulting in the detainment of more than 1,800 undocumented immigrants and more than 112,000 pounds of illegal drugs.
Building on Texas Governor Rick Perry’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” initiative, a partnership between Border Patrol and the Texas Department of Public Safety to revoke the CDL’s of convicted felony smugglers, Sen. Cornyn’s new bill would take these efforts a step further. The Putting the Brakes on Human Smuggling Act would, for the first time on the federal level, clearly indentify “human smuggling” as a basis for the suspension of a CDL or lifetime disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle. As a result, the scope of responsibility for Border Patrol and DPS under Texas Hold ‘Em would be expanded.
In addition, Sen. Cornyn’s legislation will rectify this discrepancy not only in Texas, but nationwide. Any commercial vehicle operators who engage in human smuggling, no matter the state where they are apprehended, will be subject to the new penalties. The state that issued the operator’s CDL will be required by federal law to suspend it.
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