Sen. Rick Scott Introduces Legislation to Combat Illegal Southern Border Tunnel Crossings

Sen. Rick Scott Introduces Legislation to Combat Illegal Southern Border Tunnel Crossings September 18, 2026 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rick Scott introduced the Subterranean Border Defense Act in the U.S. Senate to bolster the Department of Homeland Security’s efforts to find and shut down illegal cross-border tunnel operations used for trafficking and smuggling. The bill amends the Border Tunnel Prevention Act of 2012 by directing U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to submit a yearly strategic report on its efforts to counter illicit cross-border tunnel operations. This legislation, first introduced by Rep. Eli Crane, passed the U.S. House of Representatives in March 2025. Senator Rick Scott said, “For four miserable years, Joe Biden rolled out the red carpet for human traffickers, drug smugglers, and other international criminals to illegally enter and terrorize our country. Our communities were flooded with drugs brought through border tunnels, and Americans paid the price. Under President Trump, fentanyl deaths have plummeted, and our neighborhoods are safer, but we need to make sure it stays that way – and that no future president can bring back the chaos. This bill is a strong step to keeping America and her people safe in the long run." Rep. Crane said, "I'm grateful to Senator Rick Scott for leading the Subterranean Border Defense Act in the Senate. This legislation strengthens our deterrence posture by increasing oversight of illicit cross-border tunnels. With the Trump administration successfully halting illegal crossings at our border, it's never been more important to block alternative routes into our homeland. We owe it to the American people to do everything in our control to eliminate human trafficking, drug smuggling, and unlawful entries. This bill already passed the House in an overwhelming, bipartisan vote, and today's introduction in the upper chamber brings us one step closer to becoming law." BACKGROUND: In June of this year, a Homeland Security Task Force investigation uncovered a web of cross-border tunnels between San Diego and Tijuana containing 2,200 pounds of cocaine worth roughly 45 million dollars. Since 1990, officials have discovered more than 140 tunnels that have breached the U.S. border, with tunnel activity increasing by 80% since 2008. ### https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/2026/9/sen-rick-scott-introduces-legislation-to-combat-illegal-southern-border-tunnel-crossings