H.R. 488 — Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2025

This section defines terms used in the Act, including (1) appropriate congressional committees as specified Senate and House committees on homeland security and governmental affairs, the judiciary, and foreign relations/affairs; (2) covered operator as the operator, developer, or publisher of a covered service; (3) covered service as a social media platform or certain messaging, digital, gaming, or immersive technology platforms determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security to be used by transnational criminal organizations in connection with matters described in section 3; (4) criminal enterprise as having the meaning given "continuing criminal enterprise" in 21 U.S.C. 848; (5) illicit activities as specified transnational border-transcending crimes (e.g., certain drug, weapons, and migrant offenses; human trafficking; cyber crime; intellectual property violations as defined in 15 U.S.C. 8112; bulk cash smuggling; and laundering proceeds thereof); and (6) transnational criminal organization as a group or network operating transnationally for power, influence, or gain through unlawful means, a pattern of crime, corruption, or violence, and a protective organizational structure.

This section directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of State to submit to the appropriate congressional committees, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment, a joint assessment describing (1) the use of covered services by transnational criminal organizations or criminal enterprises acting on their behalf for recruitment efforts—including of individuals located in the United States—to engage in or support illicit activities in the United States, Mexico, or in proximity to a U.S. international border; (2) such organizations' use of covered services for illicit activities or related conduct, including (A) smuggling or trafficking of narcotics, controlled substances, precursors, or other prohibited items such as firearms; (B) human smuggling or trafficking, with a focus on child exploitation; and (C) transportation of bulk currency or monetary instruments; and (3) existing efforts by these secretaries and relevant government and law enforcement entities to counter, monitor, or respond to such usage.

This section directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of State to submit to the appropriate congressional committees, not later than one year after the date of enactment, a joint “National Strategy to Combat Illicit Recruitment Activity by Transnational Criminal Organizations on Social Media and Online Platforms” to counter recruitment via covered services (i.e., social media and online platforms) by transnational criminal organizations of individuals in the United States for illicit activities in the United States, Mexico, or near U.S. international borders. The strategy must include (1) proposals to improve interagency cooperation, intragovernmental coordination (including with state, Tribal, and local governments), and internal departmental coordination; (2) recommendations for voluntary reporting of recruitment efforts; (3) activities to enhance intelligence analysis, international partnerships, and youth outreach in border communities; and (4) measures ensuring law enforcement focuses on organizations rather than recruits and protects privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties (particularly for minors and constitutionally protected activities). It prohibits legislative recommendations or elements requiring unenacted legislation. In developing and implementing the strategy, the three secretaries must consult specified components of the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, and State; the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Education; and representatives of border communities (including state, Tribal, and local governments and nongovernmental experts). This section further requires the secretaries to commence implementation of the strategy not later than 90 days after its submission to Congress.