No More Narcos Act

This bill sets up a national push to stop cartels and other criminal groups from recruiting kids. Within one year of becoming law, the Attorney General (through the DEA) must run an information campaign to teach middle and high school students near the U.S.–Mexico border about the dangers of working with these groups. It defines “covered students” as those in middle and high school who live in U.S. communities within 100 miles of the southern border.

It also tells the Department of Homeland Security to create and carry out a national strategy to fight cartels that target minors for illegal smuggling or trafficking. The plan and campaign can be paid for using the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund.

Key points:

• Who is affected: Middle and high school students living within 100 miles of the U.S.–Mexico border; minors are defined as under age 18.
• What changes: A student information campaign and a DHS-led national strategy to stop cartels from recruiting kids for illegal activities.
• When: The student campaign must start within one year after the bill becomes law.
• How it’s funded: Authorized to use the DOJ Assets Forfeiture Fund.