The Trump administration is building on a Biden-era executive order to crack down on drug cartels. On Thursday, the U.S. State Department rolled out a visa restriction policy targeting the inner circle of sanctioned drug traffickers. It’s a bold move, but will it stem the fentanyl tide?
Breitbart reported that the policy bars family members and close associates of drug lords blacklisted under Executive Order 14059 from entering the U.S.
This order, signed by Joe Biden in December 2021, sanctions those fueling the global drug trade. The State Department claims it’s a deterrent, but skeptics wonder if it’s just bureaucratic flexing.
“This will not only prevent them from entering the United States, but it will serve as a deterrent for continued illicit activities,” said Thomas Pigott, State Department principal deputy spokesperson.
Deterrent? Maybe, but drug cartels don’t exactly quake at visa denials. Tougher action might be needed to choke their operations.
President Donald Trump has made drug trafficking a cornerstone of his immigration agenda. During his campaign, he promised ironclad border security and mass deportations to curb the drug flow. His focus on fentanyl has only sharpened since taking office in January 2025.
On February 1, 2025, Trump signed an executive order targeting fentanyl precursor chemicals from China entering via Mexico.
He slapped a 10% tariff on Chinese imports to pressure Beijing. By March, he doubled down, raising the tariff to 20%.
“They are horrible people that have been killing people left and right, that have made a fortune on selling drugs and destroying our people,” Trump declared. His blunt style resonates with supporters tired of diplomatic niceties. Yet, critics argue tariffs hurt American consumers more than cartels.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 80,391 drug overdose deaths in 2024. Of those, 48,422 were tied to fentanyl—a staggering 60%. Though deaths dropped 27% from 2023, the crisis remains a national tragedy.
“We lost 300,000 people last year to fentanyl and drugs. They’re bad news,” Trump said. His numbers exaggerate, but the sentiment hits home for communities ravaged by addiction.
Trump’s rhetoric often paints drug traffickers as cartoonish villains, but the problem is complex. Fentanyl’s supply chain spans continents, from Chinese labs to Mexican cartels. Visa bans might inconvenience a few associates, but they don’t dismantle the network.
In May 2025, Trump floated a provocative idea: sending U.S. troops to Mexico to battle cartels. “If Mexico wanted help with the cartels, we would be honored to go in and do it,” he told reporters on Air Force One. The offer raised eyebrows, with many questioning the optics of American boots on Mexican soil.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio backed the broader mission. “The U.S. Department of State will use all necessary tools to deter and dismantle the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs from entering the United States and harming U.S. citizens,” Rubio said. His words signal unity, but military action seems a long shot.
Mexico’s government hasn’t signaled interest in U.S. intervention. Sovereignty concerns and past tensions make cooperation tricky. Trump’s offer might be more about rallying his base than crafting viable policy.
Trump’s fentanyl tariffs on China remain in place, unlike most of his other economic penalties, which he lifted after returning to power.
The tariffs aim to disrupt the flow of precursor chemicals, but their impact is debatable. Beijing’s compliance hinges on more than trade pressure.
“We will continue to use all necessary tools to deter and dismantle the flow of fentanyl and other deadly drugs from entering our country,” Pigott insisted. Tools are great, but results matter more. The visa policy and tariffs feel like half-measures against a relentless enemy.
