Grand Canyon Times

The Arizona House Speaker-Elect said a report that the Mexican drug cartels have increased their “border fees” since President Donald Trump’s election victory shows the cartels know Trump is “serious about securing our border.”

“The cartels know President Trump is serious about securing our border and will finish the wall he started,” Speaker-Elect Steve Montenegro (R-AZ-29) posted on X. “Looking forward to an end to this criminal madness and the restoration of a lawful America First immigration policy.”

Montenegro’s comments were in response to an American Greatness news report that said drug cartels and human trafficking groups “have begun demanding higher fees for illegals seeking to be smuggled across the border” since Trump’s victory in the November elections.

“As Breitbart reports, illegals at an alleged “charity” shelter in Sonora, Mexico told a Mexican newspaper that the smuggling fee has doubled in recent weeks, with Trump’s victory and impending return to office being given as a major reason,” said the American Greatness article. “The previous fees of $5,000 have risen to at least $10,000, as illegals from all around the world, including Africa, Asia, and Central America, try desperately to sneak into the country before Trump returns to office.”

“The smugglers have also increased their fees for additional services, such as using vehicles to cross private property, with these fees increasing from $15,000 to $20,000,” said the article.

House Republicans elected Montenegro Speaker on Nov. 12 following a 2024 Election in which the GOP increased its House majority from 31 seats to 33 seats out of 60.

Tom Homan, Trump's appointed "Border Czar," wished Montenegro "congratulations" on his Speakership in a Nov. 14 X post and called Montenegro, and newly-elected AZ Sen. Majority Leader Janae Shamp (R-29), "America First Patriots."

Montenegro was first elected to the Arizona House in 2008, representing District 12. He served until 2016 and then served one term in the Arizona Senate for District 13 from 2017 to 2018. In 2022, Montenegro was elected again to the Arizona House, representing District 29.