Combating TCOs (E.O. 13773)

Summary

Directs federal agencies to work together to stop international crime groups involved in drug and human trafficking to make the country safer.

What problem does this solve?

International criminal groups bring violence, drugs, and human trafficking into the United States, harming American citizens. This order directs federal agencies to make it a top priority to find, stop, and break up these groups.

What does this order do?

Makes combating criminal groups a high priority

Requires federal law enforcement agencies to give high priority and enough resources to efforts that identify, stop, and break up international criminal groups.

Directs an interagency working group

Puts the heads of the State Department, Justice Department, Homeland Security, and National Intelligence in charge of the Threat Mitigation Working Group to coordinate efforts.

Increases information sharing

Orders all federal agencies to share information and work together to stop criminal organizations. It also pushes for more cooperation with other countries.

Focuses on immigration enforcement

Calls for the quick removal of foreign nationals who are members of criminal groups and a review of immigration laws to keep them from entering the U.S.

Requires regular reports

The working group must give the President a report on its progress within 120 days and then every year after. It also must release public reports on convictions every three months.

Who does this affect?

Federal law enforcement agencies
Members of transnational criminal organizations
Immigrants

What is the real world impact?

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Enhances public safety

Aims to protect Americans by directing federal agencies to focus on breaking up dangerous international criminal groups that bring drugs, violence, and other crimes into the country.

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Connects crime fighting with immigration enforcement

Links the fight against criminal groups to immigration, leading to stricter enforcement and faster removal of non-citizens suspected of being members of these groups.

When does this start?

This order became effective on February 9, 2017, and includes a specific deadline for a report to the President.

Report on criminal organizations

Within 120 days of the order (by June 9, 2017), the Threat Mitigation Working Group must submit a report to the President about these criminal groups.