Rubio announces new visa restrictions on families of fentanyl traffickers

The new policy imposes new visa restrictions on family members and close personal and business associates of foreign drug traffickers.

In a statement released by the State Department, Rubio stressed the importance of further expanding sanctions to stop the flow of fentanyl and other drugs into the country.

"The fentanyl crisis in the United States is unprecedented, with overdoses remaining the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 44," said Rubio.

"Today's action expands upon existing tools," he said, adding that the State Department "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."

Fentanyl is a dangerous drug that is often trafficked into the United States across the southern and northern borders by cartels and other criminal elements. In 2024, fentanyl was linked to the deaths of 48,422 persons in the United States, according to the CDC.

Bondi described fentanyl as a weapon of "mass destruction" and laid down a stern warning to drug pushers looking to distribute the potentially deadly drug throughout the nation. 

"When we catch you like all of these individuals, if convicted, we will put you behind bars. There will be no negotiating and we will lock you up for as long as humanly possible," Bondi said. "We will not negotiate with those who are killing our family members, including brothers, sisters, daughters, sons, parents, friends, everyone in this room."