Skip to content

ICYMI: Sen. Cruz: Cartel Members’ Ill-Gotten Gains Should Fund Border Security

Discusses the EL CHAPO Act with Tucker Carlson; Receives praise from Border Patrol Council President on Lou Dobbs Tonight

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) appeared on Tucker Carlson Tonight to discuss the EL CHAPO Act – legislation he introduced on Tuesday that would reserve any amounts forfeited to the U.S. Government as a result of the criminal prosecution of “El Chapo” and other drug lords for border security assets and the completion of the wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Sen. Cruz also discussed his visit with the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (USCBP) midnight muster earlier this year during a tour of the Texas border. 

“The EL CHAPO Act provides that if El Chapo, the famed Mexican drug lord, is convicted, that his criminal assets go directly to building a wall and securing the border. I got to say that there is justice in that. These cartels are the ones crossing the border with impunity, smuggling drugs, smuggling narcotics, engage in human trafficking. They are the ones violating our laws. It is only fitting that their ill-gotten gains fund securing the border.” Sen. Cruz told Carlson. “Back in [February], I was down on the Texas border, I joined the midnight muster with the USCBP. I visited with about 150 Border Patrol agents, and the relief they had at the election results was palpable. They were so frustrated having spent eight years risking their lives apprehending violent cartel traffickers, and having an administration process them through and then release them. Now what’s astonishing is in the first couple of months of this new administration, illegal immigration has already dropped more than 50 percent. The cartels understand that we now have an administration that will enforce the law. That matters.”

Additionally, last night National Border Patrol Council President Brandon Judd praised Sen. Cruz’s EL CHAPO Act in an appearance with Fox Business’ Lou Dobbs Tonight.

“To get back to your earlier question about Senator Cruz. He's a senator that is very intelligent and conscientious,” Brandon Judd said. “And for him to come up with that idea, any money that is made through criminal enterprise is subject to government forfeiture. And his idea to use that money to build the wall is an amazing idea.”

Video of the Senator’s appearance may be viewed here.                                         

###