Bill Overview
Title: Rescue Endangered SIVs and Citizens and Urgently Evacuate to Safety Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires reports on issues related to the evacuation of Afghanistan, specifically the evacuation of (1) U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents, (2) nationals of Afghanistan who have received or applied for a special immigrant visa, and (3) nationals of Afghanistan who are eligible for certain levels of priority under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. The Department of State must report to Congress on State Department funding provided to nongovernmental entities for evacuating such individuals. The report must include funding provided from August 15, 2021, to the date that is 180 days after this bill's enactment. The State Department must also report to Congress on the State Department's methods to prevent waste, fraud, abuse, or diversion to unintended beneficiaries of funding provided to a nongovernmental entity for evacuating such individuals.
Sponsors: Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-39]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals impacted by the RESCUES Act of 2022 focusing on Afghanistan evacuation
Estimated Size: 5000
- The bill focuses on evacuating U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents stranded in Afghanistan, which targets a very specific group of people with identifiable U.S. citizenship or residency status.
- It also targets Afghan nationals who have received or applied for a Special Immigrant Visa, representing those who have been recognized for their association or contribution to U.S. missions in Afghanistan, often at great personal risk.
- Additionally, the bill addresses Afghan nationals eligible for U.S. refugee priority status, likely including former U.S. military allies and other vulnerable groups at risk of persecution.
- The global target population affected by this bill must include both U.S. citizens and Afghan nationals, primarily those in Afghanistan or displaced due to associated risks.
- Given that the evacuation operation from Afghanistan was a priority and a significant number of people were in these categories, the global affected group could feasibly be in tens of thousands or more.
Reasoning
- The American target population for this policy comprises both U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, noting that these individuals might have varied perceptions of the policy based on their proximity to the evacuation operations or connections to Afghan nationals.
- As the bill includes funding to non-governmental entities for evacuation processes, the effectiveness—and hence the perceived impact—might vary based on the success of these organizations' actions, affecting the personal narratives of those evacuated or left behind.
- Given the specificity of the target group, a broader American audience would likely have indirect impact, understanding the policy through media or community discussions about addressing humanitarian needs in Afghanistan.
- The size of the budget relative to the need implies a necessity to prioritize higher-risk individuals, possibly leaving lower-risk or less visible individuals feeling overlooked.
- The legislative focus on preventing waste and abuse will likely have different perceived effectiveness among the involved NGOs, further impacting views on policy success.
Simulated Interviews
Veteran Affairs Coordinator (Houston, TX)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is crucial for those I've worked with; they risked their lives to help the U.S., and we owe them support.
- I hope the administration follows through effectively without unnecessary red tape.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Graduate Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I feel constant worry about my family back home due to delays in SIV processing.
- If this policy speeds up the process, it would change my life dramatically.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Policy Analyst (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill addresses key concerns, but effective implementation is critical.
- I'm optimistic, but cautious about how the funds will be used effectively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
NGO Director (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- New funding opportunities from this bill could enhance our existing efforts in evacuation logistics.
- The policy's clauses on oversight are positive, though they can slow down immediate relief efforts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
IT Specialist (Chicago, IL)
Age: 24 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our organization has been struggling to raise awareness about stranded students; this act could provide a vital platform for their voices.
- Implementation speed is a huge concern, as delays could be catastrophic.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Retired School Teacher (Boston, MA)
Age: 63 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having seen students go through similar situations, I empathize deeply with the families affected by this bill.
- The legislative focus should also be on long-term integration support, not just evacuation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Firefighter (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy gives peace of mind knowing the U.S. is committed to not leaving people behind.
- We should not forget, however, the need for sustained support post-evacuation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Corporate Lawyer (Denver, CO)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Legislation like this is critical to ensuring ongoing legal and financial support with minimal bureaucratic hurdles.
- We must also ensure pathways for permanent residence are established for evacuees.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Social Worker (Miami, FL)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned about sufficient resourcing to adequately support evacuees once they are in the U.S.
- Efforts like these keep us active, but clarity on long-term strategies is vital.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Journalist (Seattle, WA)
Age: 44 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act should ideally increase transparency and accountability in evacuation processes.
- There is a pressing need for factual reporting, considering the complex political backdrop.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Year 2: $100000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $150000000)
Year 3: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $80000000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Evacuation and related operations incur significant logistical and security costs.
- The bill requires comprehensive and detailed reporting with potential penalties for fraud and abuse, which drives up administrative costs.
- Funding given to nongovernmental organizations and the auditor requirements will need close government oversight.