Montgomery, AL – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has joined a coalition of 25 state attorneys general in urging the Trump Administration to close what they describe as a loophole in an import program that may be exploited by adversaries and drug traffickers to bring fentanyl and other illegal substances into the United States.
In a letter addressed to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Acting U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Pete Flores, the coalition calls for increased oversight of an import pilot program known as Entry Type 86. The program, which allows small packages to enter the U.S. with limited customs screening, has grown rapidly in recent years—from 153 million packages in 2015 to more than 1.2 billion in 2024.
The attorneys general argue that the exponential rise in these shipments merits closer examination due to the potential risks posed by fentanyl, a synthetic opioid significantly more potent than heroin and morphine. According to the letter, even a trace amount—two milligrams—can be lethal.
In addition to public health concerns, the letter cites potential abuses of the Entry Type 86 program by shippers who may be using it to bypass regulations and avoid paying import duties. The coalition warned that this could create vulnerabilities in the nation’s supply chain and increase the risk of illegal trade and security threats.
“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,” said Attorney General Marshall. “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.”
The letter was led by Kentucky and signed by attorneys general from Alabama, 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.
The attorneys general expressed confidence that the Trump Administration will respond by reviewing and strengthening protocols related to the Entry Type 86 program to enhance border security and protect American communities.
