# Plain Language Summary: Transnational Criminal Organization Illicit Spotter Prevention and Elimination Act

## What This Bill Does

This bill creates new federal crimes related to border security and immigration enforcement. Specifically, it makes it illegal to intentionally warn criminal organizations about the location or activities of law enforcement agencies involved in border control, immigration, or customs enforcement. It also criminalizes the destruction or tampering with border security infrastructure like fences, barriers, sensors, and cameras. The bill imposes significant penalties, including up to 10 years in prison for these offenses, and up to 20 years if a firearm is involved.

## Who Is Affected

This bill primarily targets individuals who work as "spotters" for smuggling organizations—people who relay information about law enforcement movements to help smugglers evade detection. It also affects anyone who damages border security equipment or constructs tunnels or other structures to bypass border controls. Additionally, the bill expands firearm penalties for alien smuggling crimes, meaning people convicted of smuggling while carrying a gun face enhanced sentences. Law enforcement agencies would gain new tools to prosecute these activities.

## Key Provisions

- **New crime of "illicit spotting"**: Up to 10 years imprisonment for knowingly transmitting law enforcement location/movement information to further border-related federal crimes
- **Border infrastructure destruction**: Up to 10 years for damaging border barriers, sensors, or cameras; up to 20 years if a firearm is involved
- **Firearm enhancements**: Expands existing laws to impose mandatory minimum sentences when firearms are used during alien smuggling crimes
- **Extended statute of limitations**: Allows prosecutors 10 years (instead of the standard 5) to bring charges under these new provisions

Transnational Criminal Organization Illicit Spotter Prevention and Elimination Act

Ernst, Joni

Transnational Criminal Organization Illicit Spotter Prevention and Elimination ActThis 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.