Although President Donald Trump’s return to the Oval Office brings renewed optimism for border security efforts, Texas legislators should still double down on their efforts in this regard and build upon the momentum from last session’s attempt at implementing a Texas “Engel List” for the sake of our sovereignty and economy.
The Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act of 2020, commonly known as the Engel List, requires the president to release an annual report of corrupt and undemocratic actors in the Northern Triangle countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.
While the U.S. State Department maintains its own Engel List targeting corrupt officials from three countries in Central America, this federal approach lacks the specificity and focus that Texas needs. Our state’s unique position—sharing a 1,254-mile border with Mexico and serving as a hub for international trade and investment—makes us particularly vulnerable to the negative impacts of foreign corruption. The demonstrated need for this measure in Texas has been evidenced by two recent examples, Mexican state Gov. César Duarte recently fled to El Paso his embezzlement was uncovered, and a scandal involving a former Mexican president’s son in Houston.
Though Congress passed the Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act of 2020, the act expired in December 2023, leaving a looming uncertainty regarding its future. Further, the absence of Mexico on the Engel List presents a porous evaluation of the situation, especially concerning Texas.
The Lone Star State cannot afford to remain on the sidelines waiting to see what takes place in D.C. On the contrary, Texas is presented with an opportunity to spearhead the next iteration of border security and sovereignty surveillance by implementing the Engel list.
During the 88th Legislature, Texas senators strongly considered the implementation of an Engel List to combat foreign corruption entering our sovereignty and economy and subsequently passed the bill. The Senate Research Center wrote that:
“The State of Texas can and should create its own version of the Engel List. One that is focused on tracking and monitoring corrupt and dangerous actors doing business in Texas. The State is under the strongest incentives to hold those who take the path of corruption accountable and shine a light on them if they are undermining the rule of law.”
The legislation sought to identify and “sanction corrupt foreign nationals, limit their access to Texas state universities, and prevent the State from contracting with businesses linked to an individual on the list.” According to the Senate Research Center, the “report is used to hold corrupt actors accountable using targeted economic and trade sanctions such as asset freezing and the blocking of all property and denied visas and admission to the United States for those included on the list.” Ultimately, the bill did not receive considering in the House of Representatives.
This time around, the conversation ought to be rekindled and deepened to enable the momentum to carry it forward.
President Trump’s designation of Mexican cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and the subsequent State Department clarification of who is on the list has given Texas immense assistance in its security efforts. During the next four years with a friendly federal administration, we have a unique opportunity for information and intelligence sharing to help us begin this important effort. The FTO designation makes a Texas Engel List even more possible and necessary for our sovereignty as cartel financiers and white-collar leaders aim to launder their money and insert themselves into the Texas economy and society.
During the 89th Legislature, we can target these corrupt foreign actors and ensure they cannot do business in the Lone Star State.