Bill Overview
Title: No Taxpayer Funds for Illegal Immigrants Act
Description: This bill prohibits using federal funds pursuant to a federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement for any organization that provides legal representation or legal orientation for non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who are unlawfully present in the United States and are placed in removal proceedings. The bill also prohibits using any federal funds for the Legal Access at the Border program, any successor programs, or federal solicitations for commercial products or services related to such programs.
Sponsors: Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-3]
Target Audience
Population: Non-U.S. nationals unlawfully present in the United States
Estimated Size: 0
- The United States has an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants according to various sources including the Pew Research Center.
- Organizations providing legal aid and orientation to undocumented immigrants rely on federal funding for a significant portion of their operating costs.
- The bill targets federal contracts and grants, which are major sources of funding for non-profit organizations, including those that provide legal services.
- If these organizations lose funding, the accessibility of legal representation for undocumented immigrants in removal proceedings will be significantly reduced.
Reasoning
- The target population of undocumented immigrants faces legal hurdles, and without federal funding, many may not have access to necessary legal services. This will likely affect their ability to navigate complex legal systems, impacting their wellbeing negatively.
- Legal aid organizations that rely heavily on federal funding may face budget shortfalls, potentially leading to reduced staffing or closure, further limiting legal resources available to undocumented immigrants.
- Some U.S.-based family members of undocumented immigrants may experience increased emotional and financial stress if their relatives face deportation without adequate legal representation.
- The policy will not use any federal budget, meaning the direct financial savings could hypothetically be used elsewhere in the federal budget. However, the potential negative social and economic impacts on communities with high undocumented immigrant populations may offset these savings.
- Despite the policy, some immigrants may find alternative legal resources, although these are likely to be less accessible and more expensive without federal support.
Simulated Interviews
Legal Aid Worker (Texas)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about my organization's future. We rely on federal grants to provide affordable services to those who desperately need them.
- Loss of funding might mean layoffs and reduced services.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 6 |
Undocumented Immigrant (California)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Without legal aid, I'm scared I'll be deported and separated from my family here.
- I can't afford a private lawyer, so I don't know what I'll do.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 2 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 5 |
Immigration Lawyer (New York)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Cutting funds would significantly lower the number of clients I can take. Many cannot afford legal fees without subsidies.
- Accessibility to justice will take a huge hit for these communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 7 |
U.S. Citizen with Undocumented Spouse (Arizona)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This legislation makes me fear that my wife could be detained or deported without proper representation.
- The potential loss of her help and income is terrifying.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 6 |
Non-profit Manager (Florida)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Federal funding is crucial for our programs, especially legal aid.
- The cuts would mean scaling back our activities or even closing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 2 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 5 |
Small Business Owner (New Mexico)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My business relies on a stable workforce; any disruptions due to this bill concern me.
- Legal difficulties for workers translate to practical and financial difficulties for me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
Retired Teacher (Ohio)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy feels counterproductive. Instead of helping people integrate, it pushes them to the fringes.
- I worry about increased community tensions and suffering.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 8 |
College Student (Georgia)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Learning about immigration law has taught me about the hurdles immigrants face, and this policy will only increase those.
- I fear it will lead to more unjust deportations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Community Organizer (Virginia)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy undermines efforts to give immigrants a fair chance at navigating legal systems.
- It's a fundamental human right issue for me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 7 |
Politician (Illinois)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy aligns with my belief in stricter immigration control.
- Federal funds should prioritize citizen needs; this ensures that.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $0 (Low: $0, High: $50000000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $50000000)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $50000000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $50000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $50000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $50000000)
Key Considerations
- Altered funding for legal representation might increase removals, affecting labor markets reliant on undocumented labor.
- Potentially longer detention times without legal representation might offset some of the initial savings.
- The policy might increase public discourse on human rights and legal access for non-citizens, potentially impacting U.S. foreign relations.