Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Nicholas Douglas Quets Border Travel Safety Act”.
Nicholas Douglas Quets Border Travel Safety Act
A BILL
To install and maintain warning signage informing travelers of dangerous areas or routes near the southern border of the United States that have been identified in relevant Department of State Travel Advisories.
Sec. 2 Findings
Congress finds the following:
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.
The brutal murder of Nicholas Quets reflects the ongoing threat posed by transnational criminal organizations and cartel violence in the region.
Nicholas Quets was shot while traveling along the Altar-Caborca highway (Federal Highway 2) in Sonora, which is frequently listed under a “Reconsider Travel” advisory.
It is not known if Nicholas Quets was aware of any travel advisories on his chosen route.
The Department of State issues Travel Advisories to inform United States citizens and other travelers of safety and security risks in foreign countries and regions.
Department of State Travel Advisories identify certain foreign regions, including areas near United States land borders, that present elevated safety or security risks due to criminal activity, violence, kidnapping, or other threats.
Individuals entering or departing the United States through land ports of entry may not be aware that nearby areas identified in Department of State Travel Advisories pose heightened safety or security risks.
Clear and visible signage at land ports of entry and surrounding areas would improve traveler awareness of such risks and promote public safety.
Sec. 3 Sense of Congress
It is the sense of Congress that clear and visible signage displaying travel advisories at land ports of entry along the land boundary between the United States and Mexico are necessary to improve traveler awareness of safety or security risks due to criminal activity, violence, kidnapping, or other threats.
Sec. 4 Definitions
In this Act:
Appropriate congressional committees— The term appropriate congressional committees means—
the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate;
the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives; and
the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
Land port of entry— The term land port of entry means a port of entry along an international land border between the United States and Mexico.
Travel advisory— The term Travel Advisory means the country-specific or region-specific safety advisory issued by the Department of State to inform travelers of security risks abroad.
Sec. 5 Warning signage for travelers near land ports of entry along the southern border
Establishment— The Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall establish and carry out a program to install and maintain warning signage informing travelers of dangerous areas or routes near the southern border of the United States that have been identified in relevant Department of State Travel Advisories.
Responsibilities of Secretary of State— The Secretary of State shall—
identify areas or routes near the United States land border with Mexico that are designated as dangerous in any Department of State Travel Advisory;
provide the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection with updated advisory information necessary for the content of warning signage; and
provide the Secretary of Homeland Security with the appropriate content and messaging of such signage.
Coordination— In carrying out this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, shall coordinate with the Secretary of State, appropriate State transportation and public safety agencies, and relevant State, local, and tribal government officials.
Sec. 6 Placement of signage
In general— The Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, shall install, maintain, and update warning signage described in this Act.
Locations— Warning signage developed pursuant to this Act shall—
be placed—
at appropriate United States land ports of entry along the border with Mexico;
on all roadways and routes approaching, and in areas immediately adjacent to, such ports of entry where travelers are likely to cross the international boundary;
at any additional locations determined appropriate by the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with State and local transportation authorities, to ensure adequate traveler awareness;
in locations that are clearly visible to motorists and pedestrians; and
in sufficient proximity to allow travelers to make informed travel decisions; and
include the words “pursuant to the Nicholas Douglas Quets Border Travel Safety Act”.
Coordination with State and local authorities— In placing signage pursuant to this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall coordinate with—
State departments of transportation;
local government officials; and
other appropriate authorities responsible for roadway infrastructure near the international border of the United States.
Content of signage— Signage required under this Act shall—
clearly warn travelers of nearby areas or routes identified as dangerous in Department of State Travel Advisories;
provide a reference to additional safety information, including the Department of State travel advisory website or a QR code linking to such information;
be displayed in a format that—
can be swiftly and easily updated to provide timely information to travelers based on the Department of State’s Travel Advisory risk indicators, including crime, terrorism, unrest, health, natural disaster, time-limited event, kidnapping or hostage-taking, wrongful detention, and others; and
may include details regarding recent incidents that illustrate the threat level for travelers from the United States;
be displayed in English and Spanish, and any additional languages the Secretary, in consultation with the Department of State, determines appropriate; and
include any other safety information the Secretary of State determines appropriate.
Sec. 7 Reviews and updates
In general— The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall—
annually review warning signage to ensure accuracy and visibility; and
update such signage as necessary to reflect changes in Department of State Travel Advisories.
Identification of critical changes— The Secretary of State shall notify the Secretary of Homeland Security whenever critical changes have occurred that require warning signage to be updated.
Sec. 8 Reports to Congress
Implementation report— Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that describes—
the implementation of the signage program required under this Act;
the locations where signage has been installed;
plans for updating such signage; and
any recommendations for improving traveler awareness of dangerous areas identified in Travel Advisories.
GAO report— The Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that—
describes the efficacy of the travel advisory warnings for travelers; and
indicates whether there are modernizations to warning delivery that the Department of State or the Department of Homeland Security could undertake to ensure travelers have adequate awareness to potential travel-related dangers.
Sec. 9 Rule of construction regarding use of force in Mexico
Nothing in this Act may be construed as authorizing the use of force against Mexico or any entity or individual within Mexico.