Attorney General Steve Marshall, aligning with 24 other state attorneys general, urged the Trump Administration to close a loophole exploited by drug traffickers to bring fentanyl into the United States. Their request was formally addressed to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Acting Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Pete Flores, targeting the Entry Type 86 import program. This pilot program permits small packages to enter the U.S. with minimal customs screening, potentially opening doors for contraband.
The program witnessed significant growth in a decade, with imports increasing from 153 million in 2015 to over 1.2 billion packages in 2024. This surge raises alarms over the potential influx of fentanyl, an opioid considerably more potent than heroin and morphine. With two milligrams capable of being lethal, the risk of such drugs entering through unchecked channels is concerning.
Some shippers reportedly exploit the Entry Type 86 program to bypass regulations and evade customs duties, which may further compromise security, facilitate illegal trade, and expose supply chain vulnerabilities.
"Fentanyl is devastating communities across Alabama and the nation, and we must take decisive action to shut down every avenue that allows this deadly drug to enter our country. Loopholes like Entry Type 86 pose a serious threat to public safety, making it easier for traffickers to smuggle fentanyl and other dangerous substances across the border," said Attorney General Marshall. "I am confident that the Trump Administration will take immediate steps to close this gap and strengthen border security to protect American lives."
The initiative, led by Kentucky, saw participation from attorneys general in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.