Bill Overview
Title: Close Biden’s Open Border Act
Description: This bill provides $15 billion for the Department of Homeland Security to construct a border wall along the southern border of the United States. It also imposes a two-year moratorium on funding for U.S. contributions to the United Nations (U.N.). During the two-year period, funds may not be authorized or otherwise made available for contributions to the U.N.
Sponsors: Rep. Good, Bob [R-VA-5]
Target Audience
Population: People in US and Mexico affected by border wall and global beneficiaries of US contributions to the UN
Estimated Size: 1000000
- Building a border wall could impact individuals on both sides of the southern border due to changes in migration flows, family separations, and potential socio-economic effects.
- Migrants currently at the US southern border or planning to attempt crossing will face direct effects from the construction of a border wall.
- The population in Mexico near the border might experience changes in migration patterns and local economies.
- The decision to suspend funding to the U.N. could impact international programs funded by the U.N., affecting individuals globally.
Reasoning
- The border wall construction efforts may have mixed impacts on people. Those living near the southern border may experience changes in local economies, either through increased security or reduced cross-border trade opportunities.
- Mexican communities close to the border might see shifts in their economies with potential decreases in border traffic.
- Suspending U.N. contributions could mean reduced influence for the U.S. on international platforms, impacting global diplomacy. This might indirectly affect U.S. citizens who are involved in global programs.
- The moratorium on U.N. funds may impact international aid programs, possibly affecting U.S. citizens and foreign nationals involved in humanitarian efforts or diplomacy.
Simulated Interviews
Border Patrol Agent (El Paso, Texas)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy will increase our security capabilities, which is something we've needed for a long time.
- I worry that the community might see less cross-border commerce, which is a big part of our local economy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Human Rights Advocate (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy seems like a step backward for human rights. It ignores the fundamental needs of those seeking asylum.
- The suspension of U.N. funds could also mean less support for global human rights initiatives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 2 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 1 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 1 | 4 |
Small Business Owner (San Diego, California)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I understand the need for security, but businesses like mine depend on cross-border customers.
- The policy might hurt our business, considering many customers walk across the border.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
College Student (Tucson, Arizona)
Age: 21 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned that the border wall will instill more fear than security.
- Cutting U.N. funding isn't wise when diplomacy matters more than ever.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 5 |
Tech Worker (Austin, Texas)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support the border wall as it may increase national security.
- Though I am concerned about how international cooperation might decline due to halting U.N. funding.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Retired Teacher (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a retired teacher, I worry about how this policy might affect the children in border communities.
- This isn't just about security, it's about people's lives and futures.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Truck Driver (Nogales, Arizona)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could make my job harder if cross-border transport becomes more regulated or restricted.
- There's a delicate balance between security and sensible trade.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 5 |
Corporate Executive (Houston, Texas)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The implications for trade are concerning. We rely on cross-border business.
- Removing U.N. funding might skew international alliances, impacting our operations globally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Student Activist (San Antonio, Texas)
Age: 19 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This feels like it's against everything I've been fighting for in terms of human rights.
- Suspending U.N. funding is a step backward for international solidarity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 2 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 2 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 4 |
NGO Coordinator (San Francisco, California)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Cutting U.N. funding could mean reducing essential services globally.
- Our organization might have to rethink its strategies in light of this policy.
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 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $7500000000 (Low: $7000000000, High: $8000000000)
Year 2: $7500000000 (Low: $7000000000, High: $8000000000)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The primary cost is from the construction of the border wall, estimated to be $15 billion.
- U.N. funding suspension offers potential savings but may have geopolitical implications.
- The policy does not account for ongoing maintenance of the border wall.
- Operational impacts on U.S. and Mexican borders, as well as international diplomatic relations, should be considered.