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EO 14157Executive OrderTrump 47 · R

Executive Order 14157

Designating Cartels and Other Organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists

This executive order declares a national emergency and creates a process to designate certain international drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations (including Tren de Aragua and MS-13) as Foreign Terrorist Organizations under immigration law or Specially Designated Global Terrorists under economic sanctions law. It requires recommendations within 14 days and prepares for potential use of the Alien Enemies Act to expedite removals.

Federal Register Open PDF 90 FR 8439

Impact dates

  1. Secretary of State recommendations on FTO/SDGT designations

  2. DOJ/DHS operational preparations for Alien Enemies Act and removal facilities

Key directives

  • Secretary of State to recommend FTO/SDGT designations within 14 days, consulting Treasury, DOJ, DHS, and DNI
  • Attorney General and DHS Secretary to prepare Alien Enemies Act operational plans and detention/removal facilities within 14 days
  • Declaration of national emergency under IEEPA

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • National emergency declared under IEEPA
  • Order takes effect upon signing

Near term (90d)

  • Secretary of State recommendations due on FTO/SDGT designations (14 days)
  • DOJ/DHS operational preparations for Alien Enemies Act implementation (14 days)
  • Potential designation of specific cartels and organizations

Long term

  • Possible Alien Enemies Act invocation
  • Expanded sanctions and immigration enforcement
  • Geopolitical tensions with Mexico and Central American states

Risks & tensions

  • Alien Enemies Act (1798) historically used during wartime; peacetime invocation would be legally unprecedented and likely challenged
  • FTO designation of cartels could complicate US-Mexico diplomatic and security cooperation
  • Potential conflict with asylum law if migrants fleeing cartel violence are designated as affiliated with terrorist organizations
  • IEEPA national emergency framework may face judicial scrutiny given existing statutory immigration authorities
  • Vague scope of 'other organizations' creates uncertainty for due process and overreach risks
Executive Order 14157: Designating Cartels and Other Organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists · Executive Orders