UNITED STATES—Texas Senator, Ted Cruz proposed the El Chapo Act to pay for the border wall separating the U.S from Mexico.
“I have long called for building a wall as a necessary step in stopping the flow of illegal immigration into our country & defending our border. Indeed, I introduce the #ELCHAPOAct & the WALL Act-2 bills which would offset the cost of completing the wall and securing our border,” tweeted Cruz on February 14.
“With Democrats and Republicans locked in a staring contest over border security, there’s a solution here that secures the border and won’t cost the taxpayers one dime: Let’s build a wall, and make El Chapo pay for it,” Cruz indicated on his website.
According to the Washington Post, Cruz first submitted the El Chapo Act in 2017. It was resubmitted as a resolution for funds allocated for a border wall.
Joaquin Archivaldo Guzman Loera, also known as El Chapo was convicted by a jury in New York on 10 counts of international drug smuggling. Over $14 billion was confiscated by authorities while investigating El Chapo including gold plated AK-47s, diamond encrusted pistols and other amenities the Daily Wire reported.
“Fourteen billion dollars will go a long way to secure our southern border, and hinder the illegal flow of drugs, weapons, and individuals,” said Cruz January 2019. “By leveraging any criminally forfeited assets of El Chapo and other murderous drug lords, we can offset the cost of securing our border and make meaningful progress toward delivering on the promises made to the American people.”
Fox and Friends called the El Chapo Act “pure genius” and a great way to “make Mexico indirectly build a wall.”
CNN reported in a tweet that El Chapo’s attorney said, “The recently convicted Kingpin is not paying for the wall.”
Senator Cruz tweeted back, “El Chapo’s lawyer seems confused. Nobody is asking for voluntary contributions. After El Chapo’s 10 convictions, DOJ will begin criminal forfeiture proceedings to seize every penny of El Chapo’s $14Bn fortune. My legislation would then, in turn, use those $ to build the wall,” retweeted Cruz in response to El Chapo’s attorney.
Written By Sharon Stice
