S. 4270 (Introduced in Senate) — Nicholas Douglas Quets United States-Mexico Rapid Response for Victims of Crime Act

Section 1 Short title

This Act may be cited as the “Nicholas Douglas Quets United States-Mexico Rapid Response for Victims of Crime Act”.

Sec. 2 Findings

Congress finds the following:

(1)

On October 18, 2024, while traveling in the Mexican state of Sonora near Puerto Peñasco, Nicholas Quets was targeted by armed criminals associated with the Sinaloa Cartel and the 31-year-old American was tragically shot and killed in a violent attack.

(2)

The brutal murder of Nicholas Quets reflects the ongoing threat posed by transnational criminal organizations and cartel violence in the region.

(3)

The violence perpetrated by drug cartels and other criminal organizations endangers innocent civilians, undermines the rule of law, and threatens the safety of United States citizens traveling abroad.

(4)

Binational coordination in investigations like that of Nicholas Quets’ death can often be delayed or incomplete, which may deny the administration of justice for victims and their families.

(5)

Each year, millions of United States citizens travel to Mexico for tourism, work, and family purposes.

(6)

In certain cases involving serious crimes, including homicide, kidnapping, and organized criminal violence, delays or gaps in coordination between authorities may hinder investigations and the delivery of justice for victims and their families.

(7)

Enhanced binational coordination, communication, and investigative cooperation is essential to ensure effective responses to serious crimes involving United States citizens in Mexico.

Sec. 3 Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that a robust, binational rapid response protocol is necessary to ensure efficient communication and coordination between United States and Mexican authorities when responding to serious crimes involving United States citizens in Mexico.

Sec. 4 Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Appropriate congressional committees— The term appropriate congressional committees means—

(A)

the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;

(B)

the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate;

(C)

the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; and

(D)

the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives.

(2)

Serious crimes— The term serious crimes includes—

(A)

homicides and suspicious deaths;

(B)

kidnappings and abductions;

(C)

disappearances;

(D)

violent crimes involving, or suspected to be involving, organized criminal groups or cartels; and

(E)

other violent crimes designated by the Secretary of State.

Sec. 5 Binational rapid response protocol

(a)

In general— The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Attorney General, shall engage with the Government of Mexico to negotiate and establish a binational rapid response protocol for serious crimes committed against United States citizens in Mexico (referred to in this section as the “Protocol”).

(b)

Purpose— The Protocol shall aim to ensure timely coordination between United States and Mexican authorities in responding to and investigating serious crimes committed against United States citizens in Mexico.

(c)

Recommended elements— In negotiating the Protocol, the Secretary of State shall seek to include procedures that provide—

(1)

mechanisms for the prompt notification of relevant United States and Mexican authorities when a serious crime involving a United States citizen occurs;

(2)

secure and reliable communication channels between designated law enforcement and diplomatic authorities in both countries;

(3)

procedures to ensure the timely securing of crime scenes and the protection of relevant physical evidence;

(4)

agreed-upon standards and procedures for preserving and documenting evidence in a manner that supports potential prosecutions in either country's jurisdiction;

(5)

procedures to facilitate the timely sharing of investigative leads, intelligence, and forensic information between United States and Mexican authorities, consistent with the laws of each country;

(6)

the designation of appropriate points of contact within the Government of Mexico and procedures to facilitate requests for international extradition and timely coordination for extradition to United States;

(7)

the designation of appropriate points of contact within relevant United States and Mexican agencies responsible for coordinating responses to incidents covered by the Protocol;

(8)

the designation of a point of contact within the United States Government responsible for communicating with the victim or the victim’s family and providing timely updates regarding investigative developments and available assistance;

(9)

procedures for coordination between United States consular officials and Mexican authorities regarding support for victims and their families; and

(10)

opportunities for joint training, planning, or exercises to ensure effective implementation of the Protocol.

Sec. 6 Reports to Congress

(a)

Progress report— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter until the binational rapid response protocol described in section 5 is established, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that describes—

(1)

the progress made toward negotiating such protocol;

(2)

the status of cooperation with the Government of Mexico relating to crimes against United States citizens while they are in Mexico; and

(3)

any additional legislative or diplomatic steps the Secretary determines would improve coordination and accountability in such cases.

(b)

Implementation report— Not later than 180 days after the establishment of the binational rapid response protocol described in section 5, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that describes—

(1)

the status of the implementation of such protocol;

(2)

actions taken by United States and Mexican authorities under the protocol;

(3)

the extent to which the protocol has improved coordination in covered cases; and

(4)

any recommendations for improving the protocol.

Sec. 7 Rules of construction

Nothing in this Act may be construed—

(1)

to limit the sovereignty of the United States or of Mexico;

(2)

to require the Government of Mexico to adopt investigative procedures inconsistent with existing Mexican law; or

(3)

to alter the existing authorities of United States law enforcement or consular officials.

Nicholas Douglas Quets United States-Mexico Rapid Response for Victims of Crime Act