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Rep. Crane’s Groundbreaking Border Defense Act Secures Passage

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By Matthew Holloway |

The House of Representatives has passed the Subterranean Border Defense Act, led by Congressmen Eli Crane (R-AZ) and Lou Correa (D-CA). The legislation aims to enhance border security through a more sophisticated layered defense system and mandates annual reports to Congress on countering cross-border tunneling operations.

In a statement from Crane’s office, the growing threat posed by Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) is emphasized. Illicit tunnels along the U.S.-Mexico border are highlighted as a significant danger to national security. “The Subterranean Border Defense Act would help Congress address this growing threat,” Crane noted, indicating a bipartisan effort to fortify border security.

Crane pointed out that since 1990, authorities have discovered over 140 tunnels undermining the Southern border. The smuggling activities via these channels have surged by 80 percent since 2008. The urgency for action is clear; these tunnels facilitate not only drug trafficking but also other criminal activities.

Recently, there have been notable incidents related to such tunnels. For instance, in Tijuana, Mexico’s National Guard has been monitoring a suspicious area where multiple suspected drug tunnels were reported. One of these tunnels allegedly connects to the U.S. territory near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry.

In February, a tunnel in Nogales, Arizona, was located and closed down by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The 110-foot tunnel was only a week old and contained a significant stash of illegal substances, showcasing the ongoing issues that border authorities face in tackling cross-border crime.

Chairman Rep. Mark Green (R-TN) also highlighted the broader context of the problem, linking the tunnels to the fentanyl supply chain from Chinese cartels. He expressed pride in the efforts by Congress to combat these threats and urged swift action in the Senate on related measures to improve national security.

Crane has emphasized that the legislation will ensure Congress has access to vital information, thereby strengthening U.S. defenses against transnational crime. The bill, H.R. 7404, has garnered bipartisan support, with several Republican and Democratic representatives co-sponsoring the initiative.

As lawmakers prepare for discussions in the Senate, the focus remains on shoring up border security amidst escalating concerns over cross-border criminal operations.

Matthew Holloway is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.