Top border lawmaker calls for bloodthirsty group to be declared a terrorist organization: ‘Take off the gloves’

FIRST ON FOX: A Republican congressman whose district covers part of the southern border is introducing legislation that would move one step closer to proclamation Tren de Aragua (TdA) and Mexican cartels of foreign terrorist organizations.

Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, is introducing the “Security First Act” that would require the secretary of state to consider designating Mexican drug cartels and the TdA as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs).

FTO designation allows for targeted action against members, including financial penalties. It is illegal for anyone to provide support or funds to an FTO, and financial institutions must report these funds to the Ministry of Finance. According to the State Department, the labels also deter donations and support efforts to curb funding.

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Gonzales’ bill would also increase funding for Operation Stone Gardenwhich is a federal grant to provide resources to state and local police forces for border security. It would also require a report on the technology needed at the border to prevent terrorists from entering the US, and another report on employment practices at Customs and Border Protection.

The crisis on the southern border has led to a surge in the presence of TdA, a gang believed to have originated in Venezuelan prisons and moved north. Border officials told Fox last year that they see the gang as a top priority, as its presence has been felt in states like Texas, Colorado and New York.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced in September that he was declaring TdA and FTO and the establishment of a database to check whether those arrested are members of the TdA. Now, Gonzales wants to see more action from the new administration against the bloodthirsty gang.

“It’s time to call them what they are, they are a terrorist organization and they are terrorizing our community,” he said. “I’m thankful that President Trump is here and it’s time to not only take the gloves off, but put some teeth into legislation. So that’s how we’re going to throw the book at these guys.”

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While the bill does not itself declare TdA an FTO, and would require the secretary of state to consider it, Gonzales said he is confident it would be in line with the administration’s thinking.

“We who live along the border, you know, we don’t need a commission to tell us we’re being terrorized, but some people do, but I feel very confident with this administration, with the way Trump has handled things and talked about whether he’s going to go down that road. “, he said.

Pam Bondi, Trump’s pick to head the Justice Department, said at a confirmation hearing this week that she favors designating Mexican cartels as FTOs.

“I personally went to Mexico. I personally dealt with these cartels when I was state prosecutor. They are a serious and violent threat to our country,” she said.

Gonzales also emphasized that the gang threat is not just a border issue.

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“They don’t stay in Texas. One thing I suspect is that TDA is in all 50 states. So this is not a border issue. This is an American issue,” he said. “And how are we going to get TDA out of all 50 states? You label them a terrorist organization and let the police go after them.”

Gonzales has a record of bipartisanship on border security, often sponsoring bills that gain support from Democrats. He says he hopes the bill will have a similar effect given the changing temperature on immigration among some Democrats — who have recently thrown their support behind bills like Laken Riley Act.

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“I think you’re seeing a change in that,” Gonzales said. “House Democrats have seen, Democrats in general have seen, they’ve lost the Senate, they’ve lost the House, they’ve lost the White House, and a lot of that is because of their positions on the border and border security.”

This bill already has the support of sheriff’s groups in the area.

“The Security First Act will be an outstanding tool to strengthen the functionality and effectiveness of Operation Stonegarden, as well as designating the cartels as terrorist organizations, and using new and updated technology to police and patrol hard-to-vehicle areas of our southern border support this law,” Clint McDonald, retired sheriff and executive director of the Southwest Border Sheriffs Coalition. The border sheriff’s coalition, it says in the press release.