HouseH.R. 10723119th Congress
Nicholas Douglas Quets United States-Mexico Rapid Response for Victims of Crime Act
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[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 10723 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 10723
To provide for the establishment of a bilateral rapid response protocol
for serious crimes committed against United States citizens in Mexico,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 5, 2026
Mr. Ciscomani (for himself and Mr. Crane) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for the establishment of a bilateral rapid response protocol
for serious crimes committed against United States citizens in Mexico,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
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. BILATERAL RAPID RESPONSE PROTOCOL.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) On October 18, 2024, while traveling from Arizona along
the southern border in the Mexican State of Sonora near Puerto
Penasco, Nicholas Quets was attacked and shot by armed
criminals associated with the Sinaloa Cartel at an unauthorized
cartel-controlled highway checkpoint, resulting in the tragic
death of the 31-year-old American.
(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) Bilateral 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 bilateral coordination, communication, and
investigative cooperation is essential to ensure effective
responses to serious crimes involving United States citizens in
Mexico.
(b) Statement of Policy.--It is the policy of the United States to
collaborate in bilateral rapid response to ensure efficient
communication and coordination between United States and Mexican
authorities when responding to serious crimes involving United States
citizens in Mexico.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(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) Protocol.--The term ``Protocol'' means the bilateral
rapid response protocol for serious crimes committed against
United States citizens in Mexico that may be established
pursuant to subsection (d).
(3) Serious crimes.--The term ``serious crimes'' has the
meaning given the term in section 11103(14) of title 34, United
States Code.
(d) Establishment.--In order to carry out the policy under
subsection (b), the Secretary of State, in coordination with the
Attorney General, may engage with the Government of Mexico to negotiate
and establish a bilateral rapid response protocol for serious crimes
committed against United States citizens in Mexico.
(e) Purpose.--The Protocol is intended to facilitate timely
coordination between United States and Mexican authorities in
responding to and investigating serious crimes committed against United
States citizens in Mexico.
(f) Recommended Elements.--In negotiating the Protocol, the
Secretary of State may 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
available assistance and investigative developments, as
appropriate and consistent with the need to protect the
integrity of any ongoing investigation, prosecution, or other
law enforcement proceeding;
(9) appropriate substantive and procedural safeguards for
the protection of privacy and civil liberties with respect to
information shared pursuant to the Protocol;
(10) procedures for coordination between United States
consular officials and Mexican authorities regarding support
for victims and their families; and
(11) opportunities for joint training, planning, or
exercises to ensure effective implementation of the Protocol.
(g) Progress Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter until the Protocol is
established, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the
appropriate congressional committees that describes--
(1) the progress made toward negotiating the 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.
(h) Implementation Report.--Not later than 180 days after the
establishment of the Protocol, 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.
(i) Rules of Construction.--Nothing in this section 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;
(3) to alter the existing authorities of United States law
enforcement or consular officials; or
(4) to limit or otherwise affect any right or protection
afforded to an individual under the Constitution or laws of the
United States.
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