Senator’s legislation expands law enforcement authorities of U.S. Customs & Border Protection Air and Marine Operations and U.S. Coast Guard to combat drug trafficking and human smuggling
WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema announced that the U.S. House of Representatives passed the companion legislation of her Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act that she and Republican Senator Rick Scott (Fla.) introduced in the U.S. Senate.
The Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act strengthens America’s efforts to interdict and stop the flow of drugs and human trafficking into the United States.
“I am thrilled that our bipartisan bill stopping the flow of drugs and migrants across our borders passed the U.S. House. I urge the U.S. Senate to pass our legislation to help keep Americans safe and secure,” said Sinema.
Currently, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations’ (AMO) law enforcement authorities are limited to 12 nautical miles from the U.S. coastline, while the U.S. Coast Guard is authorized to perform law enforcement activities at up to 24 nautical miles under Presidential Proclamation 7219. This puts law enforcement vessels at a severe disadvantage, often preventing them from capturing escaping vessels.
The Senators’ bill makes Presidential Proclamation 7219 permanent and expands the law enforcement authorities of AMO from 12 to 24 nautical miles from the U.S. coastline.
The legislation will allow law enforcement to increase detection interdiction of criminals attempting to bring illegal drugs and migrants into the United States.