Bill Overview
Title: Comprehensive Southern Border Strategy Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to report to Congress a comprehensive southern border strategy. The strategy must include (1) an overview of current security risks along the southern border; and (2) an assessment of the barriers, technologies, and tools that are necessary to achieve and maintain situational awareness and operational control of the border.
Sponsors: Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-39]
Target Audience
Population: Immigrants and potential immigrants affected by U.S. southern border policies
Estimated Size: 2000000
- The legislation focuses on the U.S. southern border, which directly affects border security operations and infrastructure.
- Residents living in U.S. border states such as Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California may experience changes with new security measures.
- Approximately 39 million people live in these U.S. border states.
- Immigrants and potential immigrants attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border, from Mexico and other Central and South American countries, are directly impacted by changes in border security policies.
- These policies affect several million individuals over time, as numerous immigrants attempt entry through the southern border annually.
Reasoning
- The border policy directly impacts a small percentage of U.S. citizens living near the border. These impacts vary from potential economic effects, increased security presence, and possible changes in travel and trade dynamics.
- Many individuals from a broader set of states might see either no impact or just a media-based perception change, hence low or no direct policy effect.
- The allocated budget constrains the scale and immediate implementation of technological and infrastructural changes, making it likely that broader impacts will be gradual rather than immediate.
Simulated Interviews
Border patrol officer (San Diego, California)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy seems to formalize what we already try to focus on in terms of improving strategic deployment along the border.
- Additional funding and oversight could help improve the tools and support we have to manage border security.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Small business owner (Tucson, Arizona)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While the policy's focus on security is necessary, it should consider the economic implications for businesses that rely on cross-border trade.
- I'm concerned about potential decreases in customers if crossing becomes harder.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Immigration lawyer (Houston, Texas)
Age: 44 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- There is a need for strategies that balance security with humanitarian concerns.
- This policy could enhance legal pathways if coupled with comprehensive immigration reform.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Teacher (El Paso, Texas)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Further strategies might increase tensions and fears in immigrant communities.
- The focus on barriers worries some of my students' families who have been living peacefully for years.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Activist (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The comprehensive strategy could deepen divides unless it includes community and humanitarian aspects.
- Stronger security measures could discourage asylum seekers who need help the most.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Software Engineer (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy seems distant to my day-to-day life.
- I think about national security but don't see a direct impact on me.
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 |
Retired (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this brings efficient solutions while respecting human rights.
- Community safety is important, but so is humane treatment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Nurse (McAllen, Texas)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Stricter policies can increase stress on immigrant populations, impacting their health.
- The healthcare system could see more demand without comprehensive support for immigrants.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
College student (Nogales, Arizona)
Age: 19 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm keen to see how policy changes affect border dynamics.
- It offers an opportunity to study real-world policy impact.
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 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Truck driver (Sacramento, California)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While security is important, I need efficiency in operations to ensure timely deliveries.
- This could impact the economic aspects of my job if not streamlined.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 2: $20000000 (Low: $18000000, High: $22000000)
Year 3: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 5: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The primary financial impact stems from the Department of Homeland Security's efforts to gather, analyze, and report data for congressional review.
- The bill does not mandate building new infrastructure or deploying new technologies, leading to minimal costs compared to more extensive border security measures.
- Technological advancements might reduce the reporting costs over time.