The United States is taking further action to crack down on the flow of fentanyl into the country.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced new visa restrictions on Thursday for family members and close associates of foreign fentanyl traffickers.
The big picture: State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott told reporters that the new visa restrictions will not only prevent the identified individuals from entering the United States but also serve as a deterrent for continued illicit activities related to fentanyl trafficking.
- Overdoses remain the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 44, with an average of over 220 overdose deaths daily.
- Fentanyl was linked to the deaths of 48,422 individuals in the United States in 2024, according to the CDC.
- The Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) reported a 50% drop in U.S. law enforcement seizures of fentanyl at and between the southern border’s ports of entry since the November election, indicating a significant decline in total fentanyl smuggling.
What they’re saying: In a statement released by the State Department, Rubio emphasized the importance of expanding sanctions to curb the flow of fentanyl and other drugs into the country, highlighting the unprecedented fentanyl crisis in the United States.
- “We will use all necessary tools to deter and dismantle the flow of fentanyl and other deadly drugs from entering our country,” Rubio wrote on X.
